Andrew Boylan
Ceist:51 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Defence the numbers available to Civil Defence in this country; the current preparedness to respond to an emergency; and the emergency response in place within the Defence Forces. [9027/98]
Vol. 489 No. 7
51 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Defence the numbers available to Civil Defence in this country; the current preparedness to respond to an emergency; and the emergency response in place within the Defence Forces. [9027/98]
77 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Defence the numbers available to Civil Defence in this country; the current preparedness to respond to an emergency; and the emergency response in place within the Defence Forces. [9026/98]
87 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Defence the numbers available to Civil Defence in this country; the current preparedness to respond to an emergency; and the emergency response in place within the Defence Forces. [9025/98]
124 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Defence the numbers available to Civil Defence in this country; the current preparedness to respond to an emergency; and the emergency response in place within the Defence Forces. [9024/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 77, 87 and 124 together.
The current number of members in Civil Defence is approximately 10,000. The activities undertaken by Civil Defence are based on the objectives set out in the Towards 2000 programme which is focused on community help and support. In this regard, Civil Defence has evolved over the years into a skilled community support organisation which provides essential assistance to a wide range of primary emergency services, which include the Garda Síochana, fire, ambulance and search and rescue services as well as the Defence Forces.