Taoiseach Launches Emergency Planning Handbook

On Monday, Bertie Ahern T.D., launched the Government's public information and awareness campaign on emergency planning at the National Emergency Co-Ordination Centre in Dublin.

He was joined by the Minister for Defence and Chairman of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, Willie O'Dea T.D., who has overseen the development of the campaign.

The public information and awareness campaign is designed to reassure the public that Government and State Agencies have well thought out plans in place in the event of a major emergency. A handbook giving an introduction to these plans will be delivered to every household in the country over the next fortnight.

Empahsising that the Irish Government does not believe that a major or national emergency is any more likely now than in the past, the public information and awareness campaign is said to be a response to the findings of market research, commissioned by the Office of Emergency Planning, which showed that members of the public wanted reassurance that the Government did have plans ready in case of any major emergency.

As well as the distribution of a handbook, the campaign will consist of a nationwide advertising campaign explaining to citizens that they should read the handbook and keep it in a safe place for reference purposes.

At the launch the Taoiseach paid tribute to the emergency services, An Garda Siochana, the Defence Forces and the many public servants who provide key emergency services on a daily basis across the country.

The website emergencyplanning.ie provides information on emergency plans, as well as links to other sites where more detailed information can be found.