15/04/2008

National Emergency Plan Goes Ahead

The Taoiseach has launched a National Emergency Co-Ordination Centre in Dublin.

Accompanied by the Minister for Defence and Chairman of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, Willie O’Dea, Mr Ahern invited members of the media to inspect the command centre which has been established at the Department of Agriculture headquarters on Dublin's Kildare street.

The centre was opened along with a public information and awareness campaign designed to reassure the public that Government and State Agencies have well thought out plans in place in the event of a major emergency.

Costing over €2million, the awareness campaign is, according to the government, 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.

The campaign includes the distribution of over one-and-a-half million leaflets and a website (www.emergencyplanning.ie) to inform the public what they need to know in the event of a crises, such as what to do in the event of accidents such as at sea, severe weather or nuclear explosions in another country.

According to the website, in the event of a nuclear explosion you should: “Go in, Stay in, Tune in. In other words, stay indoors and listen to both radio and television for information and instructions.”

However, commentators may note that there's no advice on what action the public should take in the event of chronic wastage of public money.

(DW)


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