Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2004
83 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Defence if he plans to make changes to the emergency planning procedures in place for major emergencies or acts of terrorism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17858/04]
View answerEmergency planning for major accidents and emergencies has been ongoing for many years. That has been carried out at local level and co-ordinated on a regional basis in accordance with the Government framework for co-ordinated response to major emergencies.
The Departments of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Health and Children and Justice, Equality and Law Reform monitor and advise on the preparation, co-ordination and testing of emergency plans by the local authorities, health boards, and the Garda Síochána in line with the framework and, as necessary, on the co-ordination arrangements at national level to facilitate those responses. Various other Departments and public authorities, including the Defence Forces, provide support to that framework.
I can assure the Deputy that Departments continue to take a lead role in planning for emergencies in areas for which each has statutory responsibility. The relevant Departments are responsible for ensuring that they have the necessary legislation, personnel, equipment and the planning arrangements in place to respond to emergencies, including the responses of bodies under their aegis.
Arising from the events of 11 September 2001, the Government responded by establishing an office of emergency planning in my Department and by setting up a Government task force on emergency planning to co-ordinate emergency planning and response arrangements across those Departments that lead and support the State's response in large-scale emergencies.
As chairperson of the Government task force, I have requested all authorities to review their emergency plans and revise them as appropriate. That has led to continuous examination and evaluation of emergency plans to ensure that the arrangements are current and effective. The task force has worked to co-ordinate emergency planning and response arrangements across those Departments that lead and support the State's response in an emergency.
The focus for that work continues to be on making the necessary arrangements, at best, to prevent, or, at least, to minimise the risks from terrorist activities by ensuring that the protection available to the Irish people is maximised. Potential threats to the State arising from international terrorism are continuously monitored by those involved, principally the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces.
International linkages have also been important as a means of sharing expertise and resources. The European Union continues to develop programmes to improve co-operation within the Union, to prevent and limit any consequences of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear terrorist threats. That was given new impetus by the EU declaration on combating terrorism agreed under the Irish Presidency, which, among other things, emphasises the benefits of co-operation and co-ordination. The fight against terrorism requires member states to engage in formulating action plans across the whole of the European Union, and in response a counter-terrorism co-ordinator has been appointed to bring together the different processes at an EU level.
The Government task force meets regularly and continues to be an important mechanism to integrate the emergency planning efforts of Departments and other public authorities to provide for co-ordinated emergency responses. I am satisfied that the various plans developed and reviewed since the establishment of the task force are well co-ordinated and have significantly enhanced the response potential of the State in the event of a large-scale emergency.
The objective of the Government is to ensure that all State bodies can react quickly and efficiently to large-scale emergencies. As chairperson of the task force, my approach continues to be that such responses should 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 awareness that the situation could change rapidly, and with little warning, has ensured that vigilance is maintained. Should the situation regarding Ireland change, the task force will provide the necessary co-ordination to promote the best use of the State's emergency response resources. That approach to emergency planning is very effective, and I will continue this work and report regularly to the Government and to this House on those matters.
