Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 4

Written Answers. - National Emergency Plan.

Ivor Callely

Question:

11 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that the Defence Forces have the required level of expertise, equipment and supports to deal with situations that may arise, particularly in view of international developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24376/01]

Michael Bell

Question:

24 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence the steps which have been taken to review the capacity of the Defence Forces to respond to a major terrorist attack, especially in view of the events in the United States on 11 September 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24441/01]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

61 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence the steps which have been taken to review the capacity of the Defence Forces to respond to a major chemical or biological attack, especially in view of the intensified concerns regarding terrorism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24442/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

95 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that all the services under his control with particular reference to the Defence Forces and Civil Defence are adequately prepared and equipped in the event of a major accident or emergency, including a terrorism attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24762/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 24, 61 and 95 together.

The unprecedented attacks on the United States on 11 September 2001 have changed the context in which planning for various types of emergencies must now take place.

In my replies to earlier questions I have outlined details on the establishment by the Government of an Office of Emergency Planning in my Department. That office will take the lead role in emergency planning to meet the new threats from global terrorism including co-ordination of the responses by the various agencies including the Defence Forces and Civil Defence.

In the aftermath of the events of 11 September an urgent review of capacities and procedures to deal with a range of emergencies was undertaken by the military authorities and this review is currently in progress. It includes, inter alia, an update of the threat assessment; contact with other State agencies was renewed or undertaken; operations orders relating to vital installations, alert systems, the Army ranger wing, etc., were re-assessed; guidance documents pertaining to aid to the civil power and aid to the civil authorities were re-assessed; ordnance and engineer assets in terms of explosive ordnance disposal and specialist search were re-assessed and a review of equipment in terms of the need for air defence was undertaken.

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, NBC, equipment is ongoing and whatever equipment 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 approximately 1,800 nuclear, biological and chemical, NBC, 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.

With regard to Civil Defence, the White Paper on Defence committed the Government to providing the necessary infrastructure and training to enable Civil Defence to continue to develop its capacity to respond to emergencies as a high quality second line emergency service. The organisation is equipped with a range of equipment for use in emergencies including radiac survey instruments for monitoring high-level radiation and graetz meters for monitoring both high-level and low-level radiation. While Civil Defence does not have any specific equipment to deal with a chemical or biological attack, the organisation would assist, at the request of the relevant first line emergency services in the implementation of any control measures, the dissemination of information to the public or the provision of welfare assistance that may be required.