Vol. 542 No. 4
6 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence if there are plans to review the capacity of the Air Corps to deal with possible airborne terrorist attack, especially having regard to the recent comments by the Chief of Staff indicating that the Defence Forces had no airborne defence capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24443/01]
20 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the position in relation to air defence; and his proposals in this regard, together with details of arrangements with the RAF. [24375/01]
94 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which he or his Department have provided for augmentation of the Air Corps in view of concerns regarding international terrorism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24761/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 20 and 94 together.
Following the publication of the White Paper on Defence, I announced a major investment programme for the Air Corps with £55 million available over three years for the purchase of new aircraft. A tender competition for the provision of medium lift helicopters is well advanced and a decision can be expected shortly. The question of acquiring interceptor aircraft for the Air Corps was not included in this programme. In light, however, of the recent terrorist attacks in the United States, I am having the question of acquiring training aircraft with interceptor capability examined.
The Defence Forces have a number of RBS 70 anti-aircraft radar guided missiles. In addition, the purchase of a number of 40mm air defence guns together with radar is at an advanced stage.
Is it envisaged by the Department of Defence that the interceptors will be leased or purchased? What plans has the Minister for training pilots for these aircraft?
When I initiated the equipment programme for the Air Corps, I sought to set priorities with which the Air Corps was in agreement. The advice at that time was that we should concentrate on the medium lift helicopters for search and rescue. In light of what has taken place, I will do my best to bring forward the programme for the training aircraft. Since the Fougas went down, we need training aircraft for the Air Corps and the additional element of whether it should be interceptor has to be considered. The military authorities are examining this in conjunction with the Air Corps. I expect to receive a recommendation from them soon. The Deputy can take it that the next phase of equipment for the Air Corps will be the training aircraft.
I ask the Minister to give the House an assurance that there are arrangements in place that will be effective should an emergency arise as a result of receiving certain information that a plane in Irish airspace has been hijacked and where there is a real and genuine concern that it will be used as a weapon, in the same manner as the planes which flew into the Twin Towers in New York. Can the Minister assure the House that there are agreed arrangements in place to address that situation should it arise?
I answered this question earlier. This Government will take every measure to ensure the greatest possible security but I will not discuss security matters or anything relating to how we deal with hijackers or murderers.
Since his appointment as Minister for Defence, the Minister has spoken about the difficulty of securing funding for the Defence Forces. Will he agree that the political will and probably the public will did not exist heretofore to adequately resource the Defence Forces? In light of the 11 September attacks, does he envisage a great increase in the Department of Defence Estimate this year? Does the Government have the political will to greatly increase funding for his Department?
The level of funding provided for equipment in the 1994-97 period was less than £100 million. The funding for equipment and accommodation has quadrupled since then. The Minister for Finance has been generous and fair. He also agreed to a unique arrangement in relation to the funds from the sale of surplus property. We are working strenuously to ensure we can afford the best possible equipment for the Defence Forces. It has never been as good.
The Minister knowingly or unknowingly misinterpreted my question. We are not talking about small bits of funding. The funding has increased over the past few years but on no great scale relative to other Departments. However, does the Minister envisage a massive increase in defence funding in the next year or will it be the standard percentage increase that happens across all Departments? Does he plan to revisit the Government's policy of downsizing the numbers in the Defence Forces? I am asking about a major change in policy. I acknowledge the increases mentioned by the Minister but is a major increase envisaged?
I do not envisage a major increase in the Department of Defence Estimate.
In light of the new circumstances has the Minister any intention or proposals to conduct a reappraisal of the White Paper on Defence, particularly with a view to ascertaining whether the membership of the Defence Forces is adequate at 10,000 should a major emergency arise such as that previously discussed by the House, or is he of the view that there is nothing in the White Paper which requires reappraisal?
I was glad that the White Paper found favour among a number of organisations and associations in the Defence Forces. Without going into detail, it has created certainty. There were reviews and examinations over a long period of time. That time is past and there is now a ten year cycle during which there is a steadfast position. The White Paper has consolidated that in such a way that making dramatic changes at this time would not help. We have made every conceivable effort to maintain recruitment. We are just about able to reach our numbers and, given the competition for jobs, that position is likely to continue. We are able to do it, however, so there does not appear to be any scope for reappraisal in that area.
7 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence if an office of emergency planning has been established; the date when it was established; the personnel attached and resources available to such office; and the progress made to date in preparing plans to meet the new threat from global terrorism. [24480/01]
9 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the role he will play in co-ordinating efforts in the activation of major accident or disaster plans; the extent to which overall responsibility in these matters rests with his Department; his plan or plans to meet the requirements of such a situation; the anticipated call out time of the various services under his control; if he has satisfied himself regarding the adequacy of such plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23523/01]
17 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Defence the way in which the emergency planning office that is proposed will exercise an oversight role in relation to planning for peace time emergencies; and the action taken to date to ensure compatibility and co-ordination between plans prepared for peacetime emergency and for emergencies arising from terrorist threats. [24547/01]
19 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he has responsibility for the co-ordination of efforts in the event of a major accident, emergency or disaster; the various constituent bodies involved in such a plan; if adequate communications and supplies are provided for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24475/01]
38 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Defence the role his Department plays in the planning of the national emergency response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23722/01]
42 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the work of the co-ordinating committee which was established after the US bombings to oversee the state of readiness of the Government's emergency plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22230/01]
73 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he has given directions regarding the activation of a national emergency plan or other procedures likely to be followed in the event of a terrorist attack; if provision can be made in the plan for a response in the event of the use of chemical weapons or hijacked aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22222/01]
86 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence the way in which the proposed emergency planning office will exercise an oversight role in relation to planning for peace time emergencies; and the action taken to date to ensure compatibility and co-ordination between plans prepared for peacetime emergency and for emergencies arising from terrorist threats. [24697/01]
92 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the role he or his Department will play in the implementation of a major accident and emergency plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24758/01]
105 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself that adequate security steps have been taken by his Department to protect the public in the event of an international terrorist attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24790/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 9, 17, 19, 38, 42, 73, 86, 92 and 105 together.
These questions are similar to previous questions to which I have replied so perhaps we should proceed to supplementary questions.
Will the Minister explain, in the context of the new office of emergency planning, what authority the office will exercise given it has only two civilian and two military personnel attached to it? What authority can it exercise to resolve demarcation lines and difficulties between Departments who have varied functions should an emergency arise? Does the Minister have concerns that the fragmented responsibilities for responding to emergencies, which rest variously with local authorities, health boards, the Department of Health and Children, the Department of the Environment and Local Government and the Department of Defence, will result in a lack of co-ordination in responding to an emergency? If there is a dispute between Departments, who has the ultimate authority to intervene and ensure that speedy decisions are made and are made in a manner that is effective and achieves the desired results?
I have had no experience so far in the office of emergency planning that would lead me to a view that anything like that might arise. We have got the height of co-operation from each of the Departments and agencies. We want to maintain that and improve it where we can.
As the Deputy will appreciate what happened has triggered a determination to ensure that the best possible system is put in place. A great deal of work is taking place and a great deal more needs to be done to make sure that is in place. There is no room for wasting time dealing with disputes.
The line Departments are responsible for themselves. I will not encroach on them. When we come to the stage of having everything in place I hope the public will have the fullest possible confidence that a global effort is being made in Ireland based on our resources to put the best foot forward. That is my approach to this matter.
This office has only four people. Does it have a monitoring function? Should something go wrong in the provision of services, does the office have a role in contacting the relevant Departments, health boards or hospitals to ensure that where matters have not been dealt with properly the same mistake will not be made again? For example, four employees of Independent Newspapers went to the Mater Hospital yesterday because there was an anthrax scare. Does the Minister believe it was appropriate that for a while they were not admitted to the hospital but kept in a taxi and seen by staff outside the hospital? It seemed there was complete confusion as to how to deal with them. What steps have been taken, or does the office have a role in taking any steps, to ensure that should a similar difficulty arise again that another hospital would not behave in such an inappropriate manner in dealing with the people who come to it requiring assistance?
I accept that, in the aftermath of the September atrocities and even with the best will in the world and the great co-operation I have received, not everything is as perfect as we would want to make it. I do not envisage intruding in that area because what should happen is that an expert group would manage the crisis. In terms of the staff in my office, I can call on expertise, depending on where the problem or threat arises and who the experts are, to help manage and support the line Department in dealing with these situations. We have done an enormous amount of work in this area that involved a major commitment from a large number of people, but that is not to say we have everything in place.
I regret the incident that the Deputy raised happened. Within the next few days nothing like that will recur. We will do our best to ensure it does not.
Will the reports from this office be made under the auspices of each Department, such as the Departments of Defence, Health and Children, Justice, Equality and Law Reform? Many people, especially senior citizens, are concerned as to the stage we are at in delivering such a programme of information? When will these reports be available? What criteria or time scale are laid down to try to alleviate people's concerns. Many senior citizens have contacted constituency offices about their concerns.
I am extremely anxious to ensure that the flow of information and advice to the public will be upgraded and available very quickly. I expect steps to be taken in that direction over the next few days. I accept the point that information delivered in time about what must be done can allay many fears. Sometimes such fears may be groundless but they need to be dealt with. There will be a fairly speedy flow of information. There were advertisements in today's newspapers by the health boards. We need more of that using all available media to ensure the speedy transmission of information to alleviate concerns.
In the context of the need for a constant flow of information with which I agree, is the Minister in a position, as the Minister in charge of the office of emergency planning, to clarify to the House where is the one page or two page document which the Minister of State, Deputy Jacob, memorably promised in a famous radio programme would be distributed to houses across the nation during November? Is he in a position to confirm today's report that this document is unlikely to see the light of day and fall through people's letter boxes until January or February 2002? Can he clarify the mystery of how the Minister of State, Deputy Jacob, was able a few weeks ago to promise that this document would be available, published and distributed in November, yet since then it appears to have gone to ground?
I assure the Deputy that information in that area and in all other areas will be transmitted to the public much earlier than any dates that have appeared in today's newspapers or others.
Before or after Christmas?
Long before Christmas.
