Eamon Gilmore
Question:27 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence the work undertaken to date by the Office of Emergency Planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13820/02]
Written Answers. - Departmental Bodies.
In the aftermath of the events of 11 September 2001 the Government moved quickly and decisively to respond to the evolving international situation. In replies to previous questions to the House on 4 December 2001, I outlined details in relation to the establishment of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning and the Office of Emergency Planning.
A review of the structures under which emergency planning is conducted is continuing. The objective of the Government is to ensure that all State bodies can react quickly and efficiently to any large-scale emergency. As chairman of the task force, I intend that such responses would be characterised by effective management of all aspects of emergency planning and by a high level of public confidence in all the response arrangements.
The task force continues to meet regularly to review the various emergency planning and response issues. The role of this task force is to ensure a co-ordinated and an effective response to large scale emergencies.
The Office of Emergency Planning continues to provide a key support to the task force and co-ordinates the work of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Emergency Planning to meet the new threats arising from international terrorism. The existing lead role of Departments and agencies in respect of specific emergency planning arrangements will of course continue.
I am pleased to report to this House that there is a high level of co-operation between my Department and all other Departments and agencies through the Task Force on Emergency Planning, the Office of Emergency Planning and the Interdepartmental Working Group on Emer gency Planning. These arrangements have provided the fora to significantly enhance the emergency planning process within all Departments and agencies and have helped to restore public confidence in the emergency planning process.
The review of existing emergency plans has been conducted in the light of current developments and initial review shows that there are sound arrangements within the relevant Departments and agencies for dealing with emergency issues.
Contact and liaison with emergency planning bodies in other countries, and also at EU and Partnership for Peace levels, confirms that all countries are grappling with the same emergency planning and response challenges. The Office of Emergency Planning will continue to maintain and develop such formal and informal contacts, in order to ensure that information on emergency planning issues is available to the emergency planning community and that the process in Ireland is benchmarked against international best practice.
The focus for the office will be to ensure that the momentum behind emergency planning does not decline.
I am keenly aware of the public confidence issue involved in emergency planning. It is imperative that the information being presented to both the media and the public be aimed at developing understanding of the issues and likely responses that any emergency may require.
As chairman of the task force, I presented the first report of the task force to Government on 11 December 2001 and a further report on 10 April 2002. I would like to thank those who have been actively involved across a range of disciplines, Departments and agencies in supporting the work of the task force. I will continue to report regularly to Government and to this House on the progress being made.