Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Apr 1998

Vol. 489 No. 7

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Preparedness.

Andrew Boylan

Question:

51 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Defence the numbers available to Civil Defence in this country; the current preparedness to respond to an emergency; and the emergency response in place within the Defence Forces. [9027/98]

Seán Barrett

Question:

77 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Defence the numbers available to Civil Defence in this country; the current preparedness to respond to an emergency; and the emergency response in place within the Defence Forces. [9026/98]

Monica Barnes

Question:

87 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Defence the numbers available to Civil Defence in this country; the current preparedness to respond to an emergency; and the emergency response in place within the Defence Forces. [9025/98]

Bernard Allen

Question:

124 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Defence the numbers available to Civil Defence in this country; the current preparedness to respond to an emergency; and the emergency response in place within the Defence Forces. [9024/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 77, 87 and 124 together.

The current number of members in Civil Defence is approximately 10,000. The activities undertaken by Civil Defence are based on the objectives set out in the Towards 2000 programme which is focused on community help and support. In this regard, Civil Defence has evolved over the years into a skilled community support organisation which provides essential assistance to a wide range of primary emergency services, which include the Garda Síochana, fire, ambulance and search and rescue services as well as the Defence Forces.

Essential activities undertaken by Civil Defence include response to natural and environmental emergencies such as flooding or blizzards; search and rescue; river, lake and coastal area search and recovery; forest fire fighting; responding to radiological emergencies; stewarding at local and national events; responding in the event of requests for overseas assistance;

The Towards 2000 programme contains provisions for the involvement of the organisation in major emergencies and a considerable part of training is geared towards this role.

The major emergency plan is the combined co-ordinated plans of the local authority, health board and gardaí in the area where the emergency occurs. There is provision in the major emergency plan for requesting assistance from the Defence Forces both at local and national level.

I recently had the opportunity to witness at first hand the level of commitment and training which is undertaken by Civil Defence members throughout the country when I visited the locations of Meitheal '98, the Civil Defence national exercise day. These exercises took place in Counties Laois, Wexford and Cavan/Monaghan on Saturday, 4 April last and I take the opportunity to place on record my personal appreciation and respect, and that of the Government, for the level of commitment and expertise which the members of Civil Defence, who all act in a voluntary capacity, provide to the community in times of essential need.