372 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Defence the criteria in operation, through which Army personnel are made available to local authorities to deal with the effects of adverse weather conditions; if he will confirm that consultations will now take place with local authorities, including South Dublin County Council, to plan for the next major bad weather event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47797/10]

The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are members of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, in addition, they also participated in the Emergency Response Committee which dealt with the recent severe weather. One of the ways in which the Defence Forces provide assistance in aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) is by providing assistance under the agreed multi-agency Framework for Major Emergency Management. The Defence Forces are also members of the Regional Working Groups set up under the Framework for the purpose of coordinating the work of the Principle Response Agencies. In circumstances such as a severe weather emergency, the full resources of the Defence Forces are made available for the purpose of providing assistance where it is not possible for other agencies and organisations to respond.