Housing Minister meets emergency coordination group to prepare for storm season

Ottoline Spearman

James Browne TD convened a meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) on Thursday to review national preparedness for severe weather events as the country enters ‘storm season'.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage emphasised the Government’s commitment to resourcing and supporting the responses to challenges in the coming months.

The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM) is part of the Minister’s Department, and coordinates the ‘whole-of-Government’ response to severe weather events through the NECG.

The NECG includes government departments, local authorities, the health services, Gardaí, Defence Forces, utility providers and transport services.

Addressing the NECG, Mr Browne said that everyone has a part to play when a storm arrives.

“It is crucial that we maintain the focus and the ‘Whole of Government’ co-ordination approach that we have used during severe weather events. Furthermore, it is important that we continue to build on our experience from the challenges of the past, including Storm Éowyn."

Mr Browne welcomed the Community Support Centre Guidance Document, which will provide structures and advice for local authorities and voluntary groups when they need to activate such resources during emergency events.

He also announced that a review of the coordinated response to Storm Éowyn has now been submitted to the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, and is due to be published soon.