Tags: Cork, emergency alert system, Ireland, politics, Simon Coveney
FINE Gael Communications Spokesman, Simon Coveney, today welcomed the Government’s willingness to examine his proposal to establish an emergency alert system whereby citizens would be contacted by text to warn of an emergency in their area.
Deputy Coveney raised the issue with the Communications Minister in the Dáil today during Ministerial Questions saying that the technology already exists and is in place to alert people of an impending or occurring emergency.
“In the last eight weeks, the floods and the freeze have clearly shown the need for a communications system that will alert people in a timely manner of an impending emergency.
“Fine Gael already proposed a comprehensive flood warning system and I am very happy that the Government agreed to take our proposals on board. However an immediate measure can be put in place to contact people through their mobile phone.
“The technical infrastructure already exists to provide emergency communications between the emergency services, central government, local government and the public. The mobile phone mast infrastructure is in place and, with the number of active mobile phones in the country already outnumbering the number of people; this would provide a perfect method of contacting people.
“The Government should require mobile phone companies to make their mast infrastructure available to send out text alerts locally within regions where emergencies are about to occur. Similar structures are in place in England and Wales for a flood warning mechanism. If flooding is forecast, warnings are issued to the public in affected areas, often by phone, text or pager.
“In Ireland, emergency alerts would not be sent widely, rather only to those directly affected in a specific area. It would be utilised for a wide array of emergencies, not just in the event of a flood. With this available technology there is no longer any excuse to allow towns or cities to be taken by surprise by floods without warning.”
