Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 June 2023
123. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement he has had with other Government Departments regarding the European Commission’s Copernicus Emergency Management Services (EMS) issuance of a warning on 8 June 2023 stating that Ireland is at an extreme risk of wildfires; the contingency plans that are in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28619/23]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage are responsible for Wildlife Acts, including enforcement of the prohibition on burning land during the nesting season.
Fire fighting is a matter for Local Authority Fire and Rescue Services and these are overseen by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management at the Department of Housing.
The Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, Chaired by the Minister for Defence, provides national level coordination on natural disasters and involves a range of Government Departments and bodies.
My Department and other Government bodies are aware of the warning issued by Copernicus EMS on June 8 2023.
My Department is monitoring current conditions with regard to fire risk on lands and is satisfied that current Condition Orange Warnings issued to date are consistent with prevailing risk levels.
My Department provides guidance and advice to forest owners and monitors forest fire risk throughout the main risk period and provides Fire Danger Notices when conditions dictate, in conjunction with Met Éireann. This information can be found at gov.ie - Fire Management (www.gov.ie). Forest Fire protection information is also available at www.teagasc.ie
Advice to the general public in relation to wildfire risk can be found at gov.ie - Be Summer Ready (www.gov.ie).
