Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2010
53 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the work of the Government task force on emergency planning which he chairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23366/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI chair the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning which includes Ministers, senior officials of government departments, senior officers of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces and officials of other key public authorities, which have a lead or support role in Government emergency planning.
The Government Task Force meets on a regular basis and the most recent meeting took place on Thursday 20th May.
While the details of matters discussed at meetings of the Government Task Force are confidential, I can confirm that the Task Force examines current risks and supports coordination arrangements for emergency planning across Government. At last month's meeting, the Task Force received a comprehensive presentation from the Department of Transport on the volcanic ash situation. There were also presentations from Met Éireann, the Office of Public Works, the Department of Transport and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the flooding and severe weather events of late 2009 and early 2010.
Also, each meeting of the Task Force has, as a standing agenda item, an assessment of the current security threat, which is provided by An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces.
