Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2005
122 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the series of exercises being undertaken by gardaí, the Defence Forces and the Civil Defence to establish the way in which security and emergency agencies can cope with a major terror alert; the role he is taking in co-ordinating the activities of this task force; the frequency with which the task force is meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1502/05]
View answerThe Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, which I chair, was established in October 2001. The membership of the task force includes Ministers, senior officials of Government Departments, senior officers of the Defence Forces and the Garda Síochána and officials of other key public authorities that have a lead or support role in Government emergency planning.
The work of the task force continues and there have been 35 meetings to date. I intend convening the next task force meeting early in February and further meetings will be held on a regular basis as required.
The Office of Emergency Planning was established, following a Government decision in October 2001, as a joint civil and military office within my Department. The office supports the work of the task force and continues to work with Government Departments and other public authorities in order to ensure the best possible use of resources and compatibility between different planning requirements. A key area of activity is oversight of emergency planning; refining and developing the arrangements that exist; continuously improving them through review and revision; and generally providing the basis for an increased confidence in the emergency planning process.
An interdepartmental working group on emergency planning supports the work of the task force and carries out studies and oversight of emergency planning structures and processes. This working group has met on 32 occasions and continues to meet on a regular basis.
The interdepartmental working group, IDWG, on emergency planning encompasses all Departments with lead roles in the various Government emergency plans and those key public authorities, including the Defence Forces, which plan to support such activities. This working group, under the guidance of the Government task force, continues to meet and is chaired by the Office of Emergency Planning. It is a forum for developing strategic guidance to all those involved in emergency planning and for sharing information on emergency planning.
The lead responsibility for specific emergency planning functions remains with the relevant lead Government Departments and those bodies under their aegis. Emergency plans are co-ordinated and exercised by the various lead Government Departments at a national level and through the local authorities, including the Fire Service, the Health Service Executive and Garda divisions at local and regional level.
The Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces and other bodies, such as Civil Defence, regularly take part in simulated exercises both within their own structures and collectively as part of their ongoing training policies.
The Garda Síochána has primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. The potential threats to the State arising from international terrorism are continuously monitored by them in co-operation with the Defence Forces. The Garda Síochána conducts exercises on a regular basis and involves lead Government Departments and other key public authorities. Exercises are conducted on a regular basis with the UK authorities and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. A comprehensive programme of exercises for 2005 is in train.
The Defence Forces can provide resources and capabilities in the event of a terrorist alert, including specialist units such as explosive ordnance disposal teams. The Defence Forces participated in two major security operations in 2004 during the EU accession meetings in Dublin and the EU-US Summit in Shannon during which these resources and capabilities were deployed in the field. The Defence Forces chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, CBRN, training for 2004 culminated in a major internal exercise in November. The Defence Forces will continue to work and co-operate with lead Government Departments and bodies under their aegis in developing operational capabilities.
Civil Defence volunteers are exercised at local level within their respective local authorities to respond within the context of the local authority element of the major emergency plan. Regional exercises in particular disciplines are held to test roles and facilitate interaction. Annual exercises are held under the aegis of the Civil Defence Board to test the broader skill levels and preparedness of the organisation to meet its responsibilities as a second line emergency service under the various emergency plans, including the national emergency plan for nuclear accidents.
The Defence Forces contribute significantly to the work of both the Government task force and the interdepartmental working group on emergency planning to ensure that their emergency planning and preparations are to the highest standards and are well co-ordinated with the lead Government Departments and the other key public authorities involved.
The objective of the Government is to ensure that all State bodies can react quickly and efficiently to any large-scale emergency. My expectation is that all Government Departments and key public authorities will have the correct plans and response arrangements in place so that a large-scale emergency in Ireland will be handled efficiently and effectively.
We must refine arrangements to ensure co-ordination of all those responding so that, should we be unfortunate enough to experience a large-scale emergency, we will be in a position to mount a credible response.
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. I will continue to report regularly to Government on emergency planning, on a confidential basis, and I am pleased to report to this House that there continues to be excellent co-operation between my Department and all other Departments and public authorities in these vital areas of work.
