asked the Minister for Health if a comprehensive disaster plan is operating in Dublin hospitals and, if so, how effectively.

A major accident plan for Dublin was settled in 1969 in agreement with the hospitals and other organisations concerned. The purpose of this plan is to co-ordinate and control the facilities available for the definitive treatment of the seriously injured in the event of a major accident involving a large number of serious casualties.

I take it the Deputy has in mind the response of the Dublin hospitals to the problems of treating the many patients brought to them as a result of the recent bombings.

Despite what the Deputy has stated on radio and what is stated in the editorial in the current issue of The Irish Medical Times of which he is editor, I am satisfied, from comprehensive inquiries which I have made, that the hospital arrangements made for dealing with casualties were excellent and I have great pleasure in availing myself of this opportunity to congratulate all of the staffs concerned and of thanking them for their magnificent work in treating and comforting the injured.

Can the Minister say how often this emergency plan which he stated was started in 1969 was rehearsed since it was finalised?

There was a rehearsal following the O'Connell Bridge House explosion to test the effectiveness of the scheme. It operated satisfactorily. The scheme does not ordinarily operate when there are not 25 or more seriously injured persons. It is a most elaborate scheme. It would take me at least ten minutes to describe it to the House. It includes the complete co-ordination of the Garda, the fire brigade, the hospital and medical services, and there is a centre at St. James's Hospital to co-ordinate the whole of the action required in connection with this. There are radio controlled cars moving to the scene of the accident and there is a control centre in Dublin Castle headquarters. As a result of our recent experience, discussions have already taken place to upgrade the scheme even further so that it will be more efficient. I can assure the House that the scheme of co-ordination is as good as could possibly be devised.

In that case would the Minister explain why Jervis Street Hospital had to close their doors?

The arrangements for sending people to hospital are all co-ordinated.

Then why did they close their doors?

Has any scheme been prepared for other parts of the country?

I was talking about Dublin.

The question deals with Dublin hospitals.

That would be another question and I would have to have notice of it.

It is a separate question. Question No. 12.