Civil Defence Board History
The Civil Defence Bill was passed by the Dáil on 26th March 2002, it then passed all stages in the Seanad, without further amendment, on Thursday 4th April 2002. The Bill was signed into Law by the President on Friday 12th April 2002 and subsequently became known as the Civil Defence Act 2002.
A Commencement Order was signed by the Minister for Defence in June 2002 initiating only those sections of the Act necessary to appoint the members of the Civil Defence Board. The Minister appointed the 14 members of the inaugural Civil Defence Board in early June 2002 in accordance with Section 11 of the Civil Defence Act 2002, to encompass:
> | Four persons who, in the opinion of the Minister for Defence, have experience in business, industry, finance or administration relevant to the Board’s functions. |
> | A Principal Officer from the Dept. of Defence (to act as first Director General). |
> | A person nominated by the County & City Managers Association. |
> | A person nominated by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government who, in the opinion of that Minister, has relevant experience or expertise relating to emergency planning. |
> | A person nominated by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland. |
> | A person nominated by the Environmental Protection Agency. |
> | A member of the Civil Defence Officers Association nominated by it. |
> | An Officer of the Defence Forces nominated by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces. |
> | A member of the Garda Síochana nominated by the Commissioner of An Garda Síochana. |
> | A volunteer member of Civil Defence. |
> | A member of the staff of the Board. |
The Board was formally established and granted the necessary powers and functions under the Act by Order of the Minister in May 2003.
The Civil Defence Board has assumed responsibility for Civil Defence at a national level. Under section 8 of the Act, the principal functions of the Board could be broadly described as
> | Promoting and supporting the development of Civil Defence planning and management and facilitating, through local authorities, the implementation of Civil Defence measures for emergency relief and support. |
> | Developing Civil Defence as a first class second-line voluntary service in support of the frontline emergency services at local and national level. |
> | Promoting and developing the role of Civil Defence in providing services to the community in support of the emergency services. |
> | Advising the Minister on policy matters relating to Civil Defence as the Minister may request or as the Board may consider appropriate.
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The Board have established four Committees, including the three statutory Committees as required by Section 28 of the Civil Defence Act 2002, to assist and advise the Board in the performance of its functions. The four commitees are :
> | Planning, Development and Recruitment. |
> | Education and Training. |
> | Health, Safety and Procurement. |
> | Audit. |
The Board and its Committees are representative of the major stakeholders in the wider civil defence community and contain a broad range of expertise.
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