Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:127 Ms. F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for the Environment if he has established a co-ordinating committee to deal with a national disaster plan; and if not, if he intends to establish such a committee.
Written Answers. - National Disaster Plans.
An interdepartmental committee on major emergencies operates under the chairmanship of my Department with representatives also from the Departments of Health, Defence and Justice. The committee's responsibilities include monitoring and advising, as necessary, on the co-ordination arrangements at national level to facilitate the response of the local authorities, health boards and Garda Síochána to major emergencies. The preparation by these major response agencies of plans for major emergencies is based on the Framework for Co-ordinated Response to Major Emergencies which was approved by the Government in November 1984.