In 2001 certain Government structures were put in place to support emergency planning in Ireland and to improve coordination across the various existing national emergency plans.
The Minister for Defence chairs a Government Task Force on Emergency Planning which comprises those Ministers and/or senior officials of Government Departments and public authorities, which make a key contribution to the emergency planning process.
The Government Task Force is the top-level structure which gives policy and direction, and which coordinates and oversees the emergency planning activities of all Government Departments and public authorities. It promotes the best possible use of resources and compatibility between different planning requirements.
The Office of Emergency Planning (OEP) was established in the Department of Defence. The OEP supports the Minister for Defence as Chairman of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning. It is responsible to the Minister for Defence for the coordination and oversight of emergency planning and provides administrative back up for this work.
The Office of Emergency Planning (OEP) encompasses both civil and military staff and is located in the Department's Head Office in Dublin.
The OEP chairs the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Emergency Planning (IDWG). The IDWG comprises officials representing Government Departments and public authorities with lead or principal support roles in Government emergency plans. The Task Force charges the IDWG with carrying out specific studies and developing particular aspects of emergency planning.
The IDWG is the vehicle through which expertise is shared between Government Departments and public authorities on emergency planning. The IDWG continues to address emergency planning matters to reduce the potential impacts of emergencies on this State.
In Ireland the lead responsibility for specific emergency planning functions remains with the relevant Government Departments. When an emergency occurs, the appropriate emergency plan is set into operation with the relevant Department taking the lead in its implementation.
In April 2008 the Government’s Public Information and Awareness Campaign on emergency planning was launched. The central focus of the campaign was a handbook “Preparing for Major Emergencies” which was prepared by the Office of Emergency Planning and was distributed to every household in the country. Copies of the handbook can be ordered by e mailing the address below.
Also, a National Emergency Co-Ordination Centre has been established where Ministers or Senior Civil Servants can convene to co-ordinate response to a major emergency. |
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Office of Emergency Planning
Parkgate
Department of Defence
Infirmary Road
Dublin 7
Contact: Jerry Kelliher
Telephone: 353 1 8042176/8042439
Fax: 353 1 8042357
Lo Call: 1 890 251890
eMail: oep@defence.irlgov.ie |