Ivor Callely
Ceist:117 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the level of supports available to armed personnel in the case of a national disaster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4114/02]
Written Answers. - National Emergency Plan.
A review of the structures under which emergency planning is conducted is continuing. The objective of the Government is to ensure that all State bodies, including the Defence Forces, can react quickly and efficiently to any large-scale emergency and that the necessary supports are in place to do so. The Defence Forces are prepared to aid the civil authorities when called upon for assistance in the event of a major emergency. This role is essentially a supporting role to the primary agencies, that is, the Garda Síochána, local authorities, including fire authorities, and the health services.
The Defence Forces maintain liaison with each of these authorities in relation to providing such support as deemed appropriate to the particular emergency. In addition, the Defence Forces maintain disaster stores throughout the country specifically for this eventuality. These contain a range of equipment, such as protective clothing, small plant, tools, sandbags, emergency lighting and generators. The Defence Forces resources, such as transport, heavy plant, communications equipment, ambulances, small rescue craft and limited air support can, subject to availability, be provided in support to the civil authority concerned.
The numbers of personnel to be provided for these circumstances is determined by the nature of the request received from the responsible authority and the availability of personnel at any given time. When circumstances allow for some degree of warning, such as imminent severe weather, etc., personnel are placed on standby in keeping with the envisaged tasks requested by the relevant authorities. The review of existing emergency plans has been conducted in the light of current developments and initial review shows that there are sound arrangements within the relevant Government Departments and agencies, including the Defence Forces, for dealing with emergency issues.
The Defence Forces have available to them equipment for monitoring and protecting its members in dealing with the varying nuclear, biological and chemical threats identified from time to time. A programme for the purchase of nuclear, biological and chemical, NBC, equipment is ongoing and whatever equipment deemed necessary is purchased to meet the changing requirements. The Defence Forces hold a range of modern NBC equipment, including a total of approximately 3,800 nuclear, biological and chemical, NBC, suits. A further delivery of 2,000 NBC suits is due in April 2002. In addition, there are approximately 13,500 respirators available to the Defence Forces at present. They also have 50 of the most technologically up-to-date chemical gas monitors and Defence Forces personnel are currently being trained in their use. There is an ongoing programme of training for personnel as NBC instructors. Some 38 personnel recently successfully completed such courses of instruction. The requirement for additional NBC equipment is kept under continuous review by the Defence Forces.
The Reserve Defence Force provides a radiological monitoring service at 32 locations throughout the country. This service has been provided as part of the national emergency plan for nuclear accidents since 1987. The Defence Forces have responded to 123 separate suspect biological incidents since the events of 11 September last. An operational plan incorporating chemical and biological protocols was issued by the military authorities on 2 November to all relevant military personnel and, accordingly, the Defence Forces are in a position to respond to all such requests when requested to do so by the Garda authorities. This service is available on a 24 hour basis.