Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2004
87 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the current work of the task force office on emergency planning, which he chairs; when the last meeting was held; when the next meeting is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17826/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent meeting of the Government task force on emergency planning was held on Tuesday, 25 May. The task force has met on four occasions — 18 February, 25 March, 22 April and 25 May — during 2004, and met on a total of nine occasions in 2003. I continue to keep matters under review, and the Departments concerned have work programmes in place for dealing with matters relating to the work of the task force. The next task force meeting will be convened as and when required regarding the ongoing work.
The task force has worked, since it was set up in 2001, to co-ordinate emergency planning and response arrangements across those Departments that lead and support the State's response in an emergency.
The focus for that work continues to be on making the necessary arrangements, at best, to prevent or, at least, to minimise the risks from terrorist activities by ensuring that the protection available to the Irish people is maximised. The emphasis is on putting mechanisms in place to support the response agencies and on providing co-ordination for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
Potential threats to the State arising from international terrorism are continuously monitored by those involved, principally the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. The advice available to me is that, while the Garda authorities recognise that the terrorist threat to Europe may currently be high, regarding Ireland it is low. The awareness that the situation could change rapidly, and with little warning, has ensured that vigilance is maintained. Should the situation regarding Ireland change, the task force will provide the necessary co-ordination to promote the best use of the State's emergency response resources.
Emergency planning preparations are designed to ensure that as far as possible the necessary advance planning is in place to deal with the consequences of any incident that may arise.
A critical issue in an emergency situation is the question of issuing adequate and timely warnings and providing the necessary information to the general public on threatened or developing emergency situations. The EU civil protection mechanism and other international mechanisms provide Ireland with certain warning and alert systems and mechanisms. Television and radio broadcasting will be the key means of contact with the public in such circumstances, but all other means of communication will be utilised.
International linkages have also been important as a means of sharing expertise and resources. The European Union continues to develop programmes to improve co-operation within the Union to prevent and limit any consequences of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear terrorist threats. That was given new impetus by the EU declaration on combating terrorism agreed under the Irish Presidency, which, among other things, emphasises the benefits of co-operation and co-ordination.
I am pleased to report to the House that there continues to be excellent co-operation between my Department and all other Departments and public authorities. I continue to report regularly to Government on emergency planning, on a confidential basis.
I presented the most recent of those confidential reports to Government last October. The report noted that the year had been one of consolidation of emergency planning development. Steps continue to be taken to build on the work done since 2001 to formalise the arrangements that have been put in place and to lay the groundwork for the future. The objective of the Government is to ensure that all State bodies can react quickly and efficiently to any large-scale emergency.
As chairperson of the Government task force, my approach continues to be 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. I will continue this work, and I will report regularly to the Government and to this House on those matters.
