Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 May 1992

Vol. 419 No. 9

Written Answers. - Civil Defence.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

57 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel currently serving with the Civil Defence and the number of vehicles available to the Civil Defence; if he will outline the main function of the Civil Defence, especially in the light of the reduced risk of nuclear conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

68 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to any plans to transfer the responsibilities for Civil Defence matters to another Government Department; if he will outline whether the relationship between the Army and Civil Defence will continue as previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

69 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he will give details of his intentions in regard to the operation of the Civil Defence in the future; if he will outline whether the Civil Defence will continue to be administered by his Department in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Wilson)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 68 and 69 together.

The active strength of Civil Defence volunteers is around 12,000. The Civil Defence vehicle fleet totals 158.

While the perception of the risk of nuclear war is less than it has been for many years, the State must also be prepared to respond to the consequences of a peacetime industrial nuclear accident such as occurred in the Chernobyl disaster. The national response mechanism is set out in the peacetime industrial nuclear accident plan and Civil Defence have been assigned specific roles under that plan.

In addition, the Civil Defence organisation have roles in the measures to be taken consequent on the occurrence of major accidents and disasters and to the provision of community support generally.

When I became responsible for Civil Defence earlier this year, I instituted a review of the roles and functions of the organisation to increase its effectiveness and to enable it to respond in the future to peacetime as well as wartime emergencies. Consultations are taking place with all the interested parties and I expect that the results of the review will be available later this year.

The relationship between Civil Defence and the Observer Corps of the Defence Forces continues to function within the overall control of my Department.