Call for high-level agency to manage emergencies

A single emergency planning agency "reporting at the highest level" should be created to manage threats from terrorism, natural disasters, or diseases such as SARS, a group representing emergency planners in Ireland has said.

In a report due to be sent to the Government today, the Emergency Planning Society (EPS) criticises the piecemeal approach to planning for emergencies in the Republic.

"There should be no room for confusion as to who is responsible," the report states.

Instead of spreading responsibility between a number of agencies, a single body should be created. "In common with the practice which has evolved in a number of other countries" since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, the security agency should report to the highest office in Government, namely the Department of the Taoiseach.

In addition, "it should provide a key role in relation to advice and guidance at all levels. It should have the authority to audit the plans of all State agencies and to ensure that plans address critical inter-relationships."

The report has been prepared by a working group of the 120-strong Republic of Ireland branch of the EPS, a British-based organisation with 1,600 members.

Among the members of the Irish branch are safety officers from the public and private sectors, members of local authorities, health boards, and fire services and representatives from the banking and insurance industries.

The report says weaknesses in the emergency planning system were exposed by the reaction to a possible nuclear alert in the Republic and the way in which the SARS threat was handled.

"While the emergency response has been effective in relation to the limited number of major incidents which have occurred, public confidence in the process has been affected by the response to a number of high-profile cases."

Among the report's recommendation are the creation of a public information website providing a "one-stop shop" for anyone concerned about emergency planning. The report also calls for an awareness-raising campaign to generate greater dialogue between all relevant parties.