Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 6

Written Answers. - Emergency Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

317 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his Department assumes responsibility for the provision and co-ordination of emergency services in the event of a serious major accident or disaster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23659/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey):

At national level, responsibility for emergency planning, including any necessary co-ordination with other Departments, rests with individual Departments for their own areas of responsibility.

Each of the front-line emergency services, Garda, health boards and local authorities including fire brigades, have their own plans and strategies for dealing with major emergencies. The plans conform to the broad guidelines laid down in a framework plan for co-ordinated response to major emergencies which sets out the responsibilities of each service in an emergency and requires that plans be co-ordinated between services.

An interdepartmental advisory committee, chaired by my Department and comprised of representatives of the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Health and Children, and Defence was established in 1986. This committee is an advisory body only with no involvement in or responsibility for operational matters. It monitors and advises on the preparation, co-ordination and testing of plans by the local emergency services; monitors and advises on the co-ordination arrangements at national level to facilitate the response of the local authorities, health boards and Garda Síochána to major emergencies; and liaises as necessary with the Departments/agencies responsible for control over dangerous substances on arrangements for the emergency response to incidents involving such substances.