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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Nov 2001

Vol. 543 No. 2

Written Answers. - National Emergency Plan.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

111 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the steps he intends to take to ensure the safety and security of the water supply system having regard to the increased level of public concern regarding the dangers of chemical or biological attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26653/01]

Brendan Howlin

Question:

117 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that all local authorities have major accident plans in place to allow them to properly respond to major accidents or incidents; the frequency at which the plans are reviewed; if he plans to review the level of preparation having regard to public concerns regarding terrorist attacks or incidents which could cause a threat to the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26654/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

519 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government 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 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 at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23526/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

565 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if, as a result of international security concerns, he has given any extra instructions with regard to the monitoring of air pollution throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26979/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

566 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if, in view of the ongoing international security concerns, he has put in place any measures to protect vital, vulnerable or sensitive installations under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26980/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

567 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the extent to which his Department is involved in the provision of a major accident or emergency response; if his Department has identified in sequence the procedures to be followed by the various bodies under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26981/01]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 111, 117, 519 and 565 to 567, inclusive, together.

In light of recent events, the Government established a task force on emergency planning under the chairmanship of my colleague, the Minister for Defence, which meets on a regular basis to ensure that preparations are in place for a co-ordinated response to possible nuclear, chemical or biological threats. In addition, the office of emergency planning has been established in the Department of Defence to take a lead role in emergency planning to meet the new threat from international terrorism and from any escalation in international terrorism, including co-ordination of the responses by the various agencies involved.
This office is also exercising an oversight role in relation to peacetime planning in order to ensure the best possible use of resources and compatibility between different planning requirements now in place. The existing lead roles of Departments in respect of emergency planning for their own areas of responsibility remain in place.
Major emergency planning in Ireland, which involves the broadest range of agencies, is based on a Government framework for a co-ordinated response of the front line agencies, that is, local authorities, including fire, the Garda, health services and also other agencies such as utilities and the voluntary sector who may be called on to assist.
Major emergency plans are in place in all local authority areas and may be activated by the local authority, the Garda or health service. These plans are updated regularly by the authorities in the light of relevant developments, changes in contact details for agencies and personnel etc. and are exercised, including interagency exercises, periodically.
I am satisfied that this emergency planning framework is effective. However, in the light of recent events, my Department has advised local authorities to review their major emergency plans and local plans, including plans for security and protection of water resources and drinking water supplies, to ensure that they are up to date and effective. Local authorities have also been advised that information about current plans should be available to all service providers and to the public. Under the general oversight of the Government task force, my Department recently issued guidance for the emergency services on response measures in the event of the release of chemical agents.
Question No. 112 answered with Question No. 86.
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