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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Oct 2002

Vol. 555 No. 1

Written Answers. - Accident and Emergency Plans.

Bernard Allen

Question:

186 Mr. Allen 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. [17551/02]

Bernard Allen

Question:

190 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he is satisfied 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. [17556/02]

Bernard Allen

Question:

215 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of local authorities which have responded to his request to review their major emergency plans and local plans, including plans for security and protection, of water resources and drinking water supplies; the number of plans which have been updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17590/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 186, 190 and 215 together.

In the light of events of 11 September 2001, 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, Garda or health service. It is a matter for the individual authorities to update their plans regularly in the light of relevant developments, changes in contact details for agencies and personnel, etc. and these plans are exercised, including inter agency exercises, periodically. I am satisfied that this emergency planning framework is effective.

The need to safeguard water supplies has been the subject of a series of guidelines, over the years, from my Department to local authorities, who are responsible for the management and operation of water supply infrastructure, and for the first line response to any incident that would affect the security and quality of supply to the public. These departmental guidelines for ensuring the safety and security of water supply systems are periodically reviewed in response to new circumstances and continue to be developed in light of emerging threats. The action plans of the local authorities, adopted in accordance with the guidelines, form part of the major emergency plans and will be activated as part of the response to an emergency.
However, post 11 September 2001, my Department 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 were advised that information about current plans should be available to all service providers and to the public. My Department met the City and County Managers Association in December 2001 and managers are satisfied that arrangements are in place to ensure that major emergency plans are updated and co-ordinated with other emergency services at local level. Under the general oversight of the Government task force, my Department also issued guidance in November 2001 for the emergency services on response measures in the event of the release of chemical agents.
Question No. 187 answered with Question No. 44.
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