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Defence Forces Training

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 May 2018

Wednesday, 23 May 2018

Ceisteanna (81)

Pat Casey

Ceist:

81. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the safety measures that are taken in the firing ranges used by Defence Forces in west County Wicklow; the road safety issues associated with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22766/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have been advised by the Defence Forces that in relation to the Department's lands at the Glen of Imaal, prior to a Military shoot being conducted the following procedures take place:

- Site reconnaissance

- Document preparation which includes Safety Trace, Time specific risk assessment, Range Action Safety plan.

- OIC (Officer in Command Briefing) – Minimum rank of Captain

- RSO (Range Safety Officer briefing) – Minimum rank of Sgt

- Personnel acting as OIC and RSO will have been given a detailed 45 min Safety and Duties presentation by Glen Staff.

- On the day of a shoot there are also a minimum of 4 and up to a maximum of 8 sentries deployed in order to inform public about the live firing and to inform them that certain routes have been closed for the duration of the shoot under Section 274 of the Defence Acts.

In addition, there are also permanent warning signs in place. To supplement this on the day of a shoot, there are additional signs placed, along with signs on each access point on to the range. There are also flags placed at locations around the range, the flying of red flags indicates live fire is taking place. There is an inner cordon and outer cordon which will alert any passers-by of the fact there is live firing taking place. All of this is supplemented with patrols of the local area in order to ensure there are no encroachments on to the range.

In relation to road safety Defence Force vehicles are instructed to adhere to speed limits and also to give way to civilian traffic. Every effort is made to liaise with locals to listen to any issues they may have and to resolve them by limiting traffic on certain routes at certain times. All signage around the range boundary was replaced very recently and is in line with best international practice.  These signs contain images, a legend, a map, contact details for Defence Forces duty location at the Range Information Centre which is manned during a shoot. Under the provisions of  Section 274 of the Defence Act the Officer in Charge may temporarily stop all traffic by land or water in that area or the vicinity of that place so far as in his opinion may be necessary for the security of life and the proper conduct of the manoeuvers of such practices.

In addition to the measures outlined above my Department throughout the year places advertisements in the main national and local Wicklow newspapers which give a general warning around military firing ranges and advising that red flags indicate live firing. These notices are published prior to the Bank Holiday weekends from March through to August. A similar advertisement is placed in the Heritage Guide every year which relates specifically to the Glen of Imaal. 

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