Vol. 542 No. 4
4 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence the equipment available to members of the Defence Forces to enable them to take appropriate action in the context of a nuclear, biological or chemical attack and the fall-out from such attack affecting this State; and if he has satisfied himself that the equipment furnished to the Defence Forces meets all the needs of the Defence Forces should such circumstances arise. [24755/01]
I have outlined the setting up of the office of emergency planning in my previous reply and the important work that the office will carry out. One of the roles will involve the analysis of the capabilities of terrorist organisations or individuals to conduct chemical and biological or other attacks. This should include an assessment of the likelihood of attack and the possible direct and indirect effects on this country or on neighbouring countries. The Defence Forces would play an integral role in the event of the investigation of any possible threat of this nature in Ireland. The Defence Forces have available to them equipment for monitoring and protecting its members in dealing with the varying nuclear, biological and chemical threats identified from time to time.
A programme for the purchase of nuclear, biological and chemical equipment is ongoing and whatever equipment is deemed necessary is purchased to meet the changing requirements. The requirement for additional NBC equipment is kept under continuous review by the ordnance corps. The question of additional requirements arising from the events of 11 September is being examined by the Ordnance Corps and any proposals in this regard for new or additional NBC equipment will be dealt with expeditiously.
The Defence Forces hold a range of modern NBC equipment which meets their current requirements. In particular, there is a total of approximately 1,800 nuclear, biological and chemical suits available to the Defence Forces at present. An order for an additional 4,000 NBC suits was placed in July 2001 with a delivery date in December 2001 – January 2002. In addition, there are approximately 13,500 respirators available to the Defence Forces at present. They also have 50 of the most technologically up to date chemical gas monitors and Defence Forces personnel are currently being trained on these.
In the current climate, there is understandable concern and anxiety among all members of our society. However, it is important to emphasise that there is no reason to believe Ireland is a direct target for international terrorist attacks.
The most important defence against any attack is vigilance, detection and prevention by the security forces. To this end all the necessary resources of the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces are being deployed and all that can be done is being done in this regard.
I am sure the Minister will agree with me and acknowledge that should there be a biological, chemical or nuclear attack, be it not in this State but elsewhere, we must be fully prepared to deal with any collateral risks or damage which results. Does he agree that in the context of a defence force with 10,000 members, 1,800 suits is grossly insufficient to enable the Defence Forces to fully respond if they need to do so should such an eventuality occur?
Have any steps been taken since the events of 11 September to ensure the additional 4,000 suits ordered last June are furnished with greater speed and priority than some time between January to March of next year? In the light of the changed world in which we live, will the Minister clarify when he expects to receive an assessment of what additional equipment, be it suits or other types of equipment, may be required by way of precautionary measures to ensure our Defence Forces are fully protected when they need to be and are equipped to enable them to be of assistance to civilians should a major emergency arise?
The personnel required to step into the breach and provide the front-line services in dealing with threats deserve the fullest possible support at all levels. In some ways, I was glad I had moved to improve the equipment before this terrible act took place, and we are improving equipment right across the board. The suits are due between December and January, not January and March. If it is possible to expedite that, I will do so.
The Defence Forces are on full alert. The Ordnance Corps has been asked to look at every aspect of this to see what else is required that would enable them to provide enhanced security in the very much changed scenario for all of us. I am open to helping with the additional resources that would be necessary to do that once I get their report. They have been asked for this but so far there has been no further request for additional equipment, clothing or protective gear.
This side of the House agrees that the Defence Forces deserve every support and assistance. They are entitled to have whatever equipment they need should an eventuality arise, such as the one we are discussing. Has the Minister sought to expedite the provision of the suits which he quite correctly ordered in June of this year? In the context of the risks from nuclear contamination, will he clarify the input the Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise, Deputy Jacob, is having into providing advices on what type of additional equipment may be required to ensure we are properly organised to deal with any such risk should it arise?
The emergency plan for nuclear fall-out is handled by the Minister of State, Deputy Jacob, and the Department of Public Enterprise. The emergency plan itself is very advanced and has been on trial. Experiments have been carried out for several years and, obviously, like everything else, can be improved. We, in the Department of Defence, are very much involved in that area as well, particularly because of our 6,000 units in the Civil Defence organisation who have Gratz meters and Radiac survey monitoring capacities which enable us to monitor low and high level fall out. Co-operation not only between the Departments of Defence and Public Enterprise, but across the Departments is an aim I have in leading the emergency operation.
