2025-11-06

10. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the preparedness of the Defence Forces in extreme weather events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60427/25]

In light of the disastrous effects of Storm Éowyn in January, can the Tánaiste make a statement on the preparedness of the Defence Forces in the event of further extreme weather events?

I thank the Deputy for the question, which is important and timely. It was an issue many of us in this House as constituency TDs were grappling with in trying to support our communities in the run-up to and the aftermath of the horrific Storm Éowyn, which had a devastating effect on many parts of the country, most particularly perhaps the west and north-west. As the Deputy knows, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne, and his Department are the lead Department for preparing and responding to severe weather events but the Office of Emergency Planning, under my Department, assists and provides support to the lead Departments during emergency events. I chair the Government task force on emergency planning and I have made it very clear that lessons identified from recent events are to be incorporated into future planning and resilience to minimise the impacts of climate-related emergencies on our communities. To this end, the Department of housing has completed what it calls the lessons learned process following Storm Éowyn. My colleague, the Minister for housing, Deputy Browne, published the lessons learned report on Storm Éowyn last month. The report highlights the necessary response actions taken by the National Emergency Coordination Group and details recommendations considered necessary to try to build on the strengths of the existing co-ordination structures, while also acknowledging the need for continuous improvement with a specific emphasis on community support measures and strengthening the resilience of our critical infrastructure. Turning to the role of the Defence Forces, as the Deputy will be aware, they are not the first responders in either the preparedness or the recovery phases of events. Their role, when called upon, is to assist civilian authorities in dealing with the various challenges that can be present. In the context of recent weather events, the supports provided by the Defence Forces included: the provision of helicopter flights carrying ESB personnel in order to identify the extent of damage to the affected network; the collection and distribution of generators from Dublin Airport to sectors that had been worst affected; and the making ready of accommodation for ESB crews involved in restoration works with the network if needed. The Defence Forces continues to stand ready to assist in all emergency scenarios as part of a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach at both a national and local level.

The Storm Éowyn review makes it clear the most prolonged impacts were felt in counties on the western seaboard, including Mayo, where access was cut off, in some cases, for days. Power outages were widespread and vulnerable people were isolated once communications and electricity failed. The review also acknowledges real progress with expanded generator capacity from Uisce Éireann, strengthened community support centres and, crucially, the roll-out of additional satellite communications to protect the emergency response when the networks collapse. Has the Department carried out a technical assessment of the Defence Forces' storm and post-storm readiness, particularly their availability of trained personnel, engineering assets, off-road mobility and the speed with which they can be deployed in rural and isolated counties, such as Mayo? Is the readiness now aligned with the new communications and resilience investments made since Storm Éowyn?

I agree that what worked well during a very difficult storm was the investment in community. We saw it in our own counties and constituencies where there had been investment in sports facilities, community facilities and vehicles. The ability of those local assets to be deployed and put to use stood up very well. I noticed, as would the Deputy, how many GAA centres, changing room facilities and all that were put to use. What is absolutely needed is national leadership and co-ordination and I do not shirk this at all. During these events, we become so reliant on the local community response. I made this point recently in government and I will make it again today that it is very important that as well as the national plan that we see county-by-county plans. What happens if a council hears a bad storm is going to hit Wicklow or Wexford? What actions are taken, what do Wicklow County Council and Wexford County Council do, and how is that co-ordinated? That is the next piece. Good work is going on on that. Every county is meant to have its own plan but that is important. Satellite facilities are very important. We saw how dependent we have become on that. With regard to a security review, there is the Office of Emergency Planning which has funding from the European Commission and support from specialists in the World Bank to conduct a comprehensive review of Ireland's emergency management approach and this is expected to be concluded by the end of the year.

I really welcome investment in Defence Forces. I will never forget when I was canvassing in Arklow and I went to the house of a young soldier who had come back from Lebanon after six months. I went there out of respect because I was called by community leads, who had a little function for him. He had come back from the Lebanon after six months, as I said, and I think he was in the 124th regiment. I could not get over how young he looked but it was the reaction of his parents to seeing him. We can never underestimate that. As somebody said to me, when somebody joins the forces, their family joins the forces. We can never underestimate what these young men - these young Adams - and women are doing for our country in keeping the peace abroad but also what they mean to their communities. He joined the force because there was a man, Jim Ford, around the corner who was there and he was his idol. It is very important the Tánaiste continue the investment into the Defence Forces and personnel.

I fully agree with the Deputy and thank him for saying that. I was in Custume Barracks last Friday for the review of the 127th battalion, which is being deployed this month. I have done many of these but I was very struck by exactly what the Deputy said - the youth. I met a young 19-year-old man who will be the youngest person deployed. I was also struck by the man I met with his ten-month-old baby and his partner. He will be away for that child's first birthday and for Christmas. This is the sacrifice the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann pay and their families pay. It is also fascinating when talking to them that so many have a family tradition. I meet the young man or woman and I meet the grandfather as well; it is that level of service. I always make the point of paying tribute to the men and women who serve with such distinction in Lebanon and other parts of the world but also the families who sacrifice a huge amount always but particularly at important moments like Christmas where there is an empty chair at home. That is why it was important that we took the decision to establish a new office of veteran affairs this week because we owe a duty to those who have served with distinction, not just while they are wearing the uniform but in the aftermath of that too.