merrion street

Today, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr. Alan Shatter, T.D., and Mr. Leo Varadkar T.D. Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, launched the ‘Be Winter-Ready’ 2012 - 2013 Information Campaign at the National Emergency Coordination Centre in Dublin. Also in attendance were representatives from the various Departments and Agencies tasked with emergency response.

The launch coincided with a meeting of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, Chaired by Minister Shatter, which dealt with winter-preparedness issues.

Through a dedicated website www.winterready.ie, advice is being made available from a number of sources including Government Departments, An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive, Local Authorities and the transport providers. The advice has been categorised under various headings including: the Home, Road Safety, Schools, the Farming Community and the Business Sector. A synopsis of the information available has been compiled into a booklet which can be downloaded from the website.

The main objectives of the campaign are:

• To provide practical advice on how best to prepare for the coming winter.

• To ensure the public are aware of where advice and help can be found, if needed.

• To reassure the public that preparations are being made and arrangements have been put in place to ensure that there will be a coordinated response to severe weather events.

Both Ministers stressed that the main message that they wish to convey today is - to be prepared, stay safe and know where to find help if you need it.