Vol. 564 No. 2
78 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence the current role of the office of emergency planning; if additional measures are being taken by the office arising from the war in Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8930/03]
The objective of the Government is to ensure that all State bodies can react quickly and efficiently to large-scale emergencies. As chairman of the Government task force on emergency planning, my approach is that such responses should be characterised by effective management of all aspects of emergency planning and by a high level of public confidence in all the response arrangements. The task force continues to monitor and review issues concerning large-scale emergencies and potential threats from international terrorism. While the current threat assessment is not a cause for concern, the awareness that the situation could change rapidly, and with little warning, determines that vigilance is maintained.
The office of emergency planning, in my Department, co-ordinates the responses by the various agencies involved and continues to exercise an oversight role in relation to peacetime planning in order to ensure the best possible use of resources and compatibility between different planning requirements. The existing lead roles of Departments in respect of specific emergency planning arrangements continue. I am pleased to report to this House that there is a high level of co-operation between my Department and all other Departments and agencies through the task force, the office of emergency planning and the interdepartmental working group on emergency planning.
