Michael Healy-Rae
Question:170. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Defence his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding recent weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8471/14]
View answerWednesday, 19 February 2014
Questions (170)
Written answers
The Framework for Major Emergency Management sets out the structure for enabling the Principal Response Agencies (An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and Local Authorities) to provide a coordinated response to major emergencies including severe weather events. The involvement of the Defence Forces arises from requests for assistance received from such Agencies in its Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) role under the multi-agency Framework. At National level, representation on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning by both my Department and the Defence Forces ensures the fullest coordination and cooperation in the event of an emergency. The Defence Forces are also represented on the eight Regional Working Groups that have been established under the Framework and, on an ongoing basis, designated members of the Defence Forces, based around the country, act as Liaison Officers to Local Authorities. The full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment, commensurate with operational requirements, is available for deployment in response to emergencies and crises.
Since the onset of the latest period of stormy weather, the Army, the Naval Service and the Air Corps were placed on standby to respond to requests for support received from the Principal Response Agencies. The Defence Forces provided assistance on a number of occasions including, for example, when fifty personnel and a number of high wheeled trucks were deployed over a two day period earlier this month to assist with the evacuation of people in Limerick and in the provision of supplies to homeowners in the affected areas.
Civil Defence, which comes under the remit of my Department, was also actively involved in dealing with the effects of the recent severe weather. To date over 500 volunteers from 20 Civil Defence Units across the country have been supporting the efforts of local authorities, the HSE and the Gardai in alleviating the effects of the severe weather on local populations. They have been engaged in a wide range of activities including water pumping, evacuating homes, sandbagging, traffic control, transportation of HSE community outreach personnel and the delivery of supplies to isolated homes.
The Department, the Defence Forces and Civil Defence attended all the National Co-ordination meetings held in support of this latest severe weather episode. They are in close liaison with the Principal Response Agencies to determine the assistance that may be sought from the Defence Forces and from Civil Defence.