Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2013
398. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he will clarify the advice given on the way in which blue flashing lights should be used on vehicles by the Civil Defence when attending to emergency events on motorways; if he will further clarify regarding the implementation of the Road Traffic Act 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13803/13]
View answerThe Circular which issued in January last entitled “Guidance on Inter-Agency Co-ordination at Emergency Incidents on Motorways and Dual Carriageways” arose out of a high level guidance document being developed by the National Steering Group for the Framework for Major Emergency Management in the Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government. The purpose of the Circular was to initiate an assessment of the capabilities of Civil Defence at local and regional level to support a co-ordinated response to such incidents with a particular emphasis on the provision of emergency welfare for mass strandings of motorists. The Circular did not address the issue of blue lights on vehicles.
A Circular did issue to local authorities from the former Civil Defence Board in October, 2012 with regard to Blue Lights on Civil Defence Vehicles.
This Circular pointed out that Statutory Instrument No. 695 of 2011 governs the use of blue lights on emergency vehicles. Civil Defence is currently not included in that Instrument as a service permitted to use Blue Lights in the event of emergency response other than in the provision of an ambulance service.
The Civil Defence Branch of my Department is currently engaging with the appropriate authorities in order to resolve this matter.
The implementation of the Road Traffic Act 2010 is a matter for An Garda Siochana. However, Section 87 paragraph (1) (b) of the said Act, allows for exemptions for vehicles operating under the direction of An Garda Siochana.
