182 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when he will have completed his investigation into the emergency plan which operated during the most recent floods in Dublin and elsewhere; his views on whether the emergency plan worked effectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5923/02]

ask the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has initiated an inquiry into the causes of the flooding on 1 and 2 February 2002 affecting East Wall and North Strand, Dublin 3 and Ringsend, Dublin 4; if so, the causes and the corrective action that can be taken to minimise the likelihood of this problem arising in the future. [5942/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 184 together.

Responsibility for the activation of major emergency plans rests with the three main response agencies, the local authorities, including the fire service, Garda Síochána and health boards. Dublin City Council decided to activate its major emergency plan in response to the recent flooding in the Dublin area. I understand that the council is satisfied with the operation of the plan in this instance and with the dedicated efforts of their workers and the other emergency services and volunteers involved in the response to the flooding. The council is now preparing a comprehensive report on the flooding, covering emergency response, causes and possible corrective action. The council will send the report to the Office of Public Works, which has the main responsibility for devising and implementing measures to deal with flooding, and to my Department.

Louth County Council also activated its major emergency plan to deal with flooding in the Drogheda area. I understand that here also the response by the emergency services was considered to have been satisfactory.