Bernard J. Durkan
Question:83 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the national emergency plan is sufficiently co-ordinated to give maximum and early response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8982/03]
Written Answers - National Emergency Plan.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:121 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that the national emergency plan is adequately co-ordinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9231/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:122 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the national emergency plan has been perfected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9232/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 121 and 122 together.
Planning for major accidents and emergencies has been ongoing for many years. This has been carried out at local level and co-ordinated on a regional basis in accordance with the Government major emergency planning framework. The Government task force on emergency planning requested all authorities to review their emergency plans and develop new ones where appropriate. This has led to the examination and evaluation of emergency plans at local and national level to ensure that arrangements are current and effective.
The emphasis of the work of the Government task force on emergency planning has been to ensure that emergency planning challenges continue to be addressed with a view to developing responses to possible threats and to promote co-ordination of response arrangements. It is essential to ensure that Departments and agencies with management roles in large-scale emergencies are facilitated to carry out their respective tasks and that all necessary resources in terms of people, equipment and training are deployed to best effect.
The focus for the future will continue to be on taking the necessary precautions to minimise the risks from terrorist activities, ensuring that the protection available to the Irish people is maximised, putting the mechanisms in place to support the response agencies and co-ordinating for maximum efficiency and effectiveness. I am satisfied that the various plans developed and reviewed since the establishment of the Government task force on emergency planning are well co-ordinated and have significantly enhanced the response potential of the State in the event of a large-scale emergency. As chairman of the Government task force on emergency planning, I will continue this work and report regularly to Government on these matters.