Joint Committee on Housing, Planning & Local Government to receive update on the National Emergency Co-ordination Group

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group will come before the Committee for the first time, and will give an overview of their role and responsibilities, and discuss their experiences to-date including the challenges which they face.

In recent years the National Coordination Group has led on the emergency response to storms and other extreme weather events, in tandem with relevant local authorities, Government Departments, Met Éireann, the transport sector and state Agencies.

The National Coordination Group has a key role in conveying safety messages with the aim of minimising the risk to persons and property. The hard work and patience of all people during these events is crucial, and with this in mind the work of the National Coordination Group is central.

In advance of tomorrows meeting, the Chair of the Joint Committee, Deputy Maria Bailey, said: “Wednesday will be our first opportunity for the Committee to hear first-hand from the National Emergency Co-ordination Group, a body which has been central to the state response to severe weather events, from flooding and extreme cold weather in a variety of locations, from coastal communities to urban areas the impact of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group is profound.

Deputy Bailey concluded: “The learnings from events such as the Storm Emma in 2018 will be useful as we plan for the future, and the experience of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group is invaluable.”

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/oireachtas-tv/cr1-live/

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.