Vol. 545 No. 4
39 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Defence when legislation to provide for the modernisation of Civil Defence will be published; the number of members of Civil Defence; his plans for an expanded role for Civil Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30649/01]
The new Civil Defence Bill has been included in the list of priority legislation to be published during the current Dáil session. Detailed consultations with stakeholders have taken place and drafting is almost completed. I expect that the Bill will be enacted early in the new year. As the Deputy may be aware, following the recent events in the United States and the wider threat from global terrorism and arising from a review of the structures under which emergency planning is conducted here, the Government recently established the office of emergency planning in the Department of Defence.
While it is not envisaged at this stage that the existing response arrangements for Civil Defence will alter considerably as a result of these developments, the organisation will nonetheless remain ready and willing to respond to any requests for assistance that may emerge from the ongoing review of emergency planning. This will involve a continuing review of the training and equipment requirements of the organisation as a support to the front line emergency services.
The number of active members in Civil Defence is approximately 6,000.
We regularly see members of Civil Defence involved in traffic control and similar activities, which is not what it was established to do. Is the Minister satisfied with the role that Civil Defence plays? What effort is made to generate interest in it from an educational point of view and among the general public? Do Civil Defence personnel visit schools to engender an interest in it and encourage more people to be involved so that the organisation will not be seen simply as providing stewards at race meetings and public meetings? People should appreciate that it is a vital part of national defence and have more respect for Civil Defence, whose members are committed to what they do but have no chance to develop it.
I agree with the Deputy's view of Civil Defence. It is an excellent organisation whose members are committed. This is my first opportunity to congratulate Civil Defence on its magnificent work in dealing with the foot and mouth disease crisis this year, where its members were truly in the front line and played a large part in minimising risk. I thank each and every member.
Civil Defence does a range of unglamorous duties such as search and rescue, stewarding at events, supporting the Garda and flood relief. I agree that we must do more about recruitment which is one reason for introducing the Civil Defence Bill in the next session. A clause in it will require the board to engage in marketing and recruitment and to strengthen the corporate image of Civil Defence, which is what the Deputy seeks.
What has been the change in the numbers involved in recent years? Have they decreased or increased?
Six thousand is the overall figure. Numbers have not increased as we wanted but they have held steady. The gender break-down is 53% male and 47% female, which is better than it was and good for the organisation. Through the legislation, restructuring will give a new impetus to the role of Civil Defence which we must do clearly in the 21st century.
Does the Minister of State agree that Civil Defence was grossly underfunded by successive Governments over many years and did not receive the recognition and assistance it needed? What input did he have to move its headquarters to Roscrea from Dublin? Is it a positive sign that onlyColour RGB 170,0,0 one member of the 30 staff remained after the move? One of the central roles of headquarters is to conduct training weekends. Previously, a young person from Sligo, for instance, could travel by train to Dublin, but how is such a person without a car to get to Roscrea, in north Tipperary? It is a question that might qualify for Gay Byrne's quiz book. It is a difficult task.
It might interest the Deputy to know that Roscrea is plumb centre in the middle of Ireland.
I support the Government's decision to re-locate the headquarters to Roscrea. As the Minister of Defence said, the distance one travels depends on where one starts. Roscrea is central.
If I were travelling to Roscrea, I would not start in Dublin.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
