AQW 21555/22-27

Mr Eóin Tennyson
Alliance Party
Upper Bann

Tabled Date: 29/01/2025
Answered On Date: 12/05/2025
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail any discussions they had with the UK Government for mutual aid assistance in advance of Storm Éowyn.

Answer:

The requirement for mutual aid is a key consideration during the prepare phase of any emergency. Mutual Aid can take many forms, such as through financial, logistical or resourcing support and can be provided via commercial, government or charitable / voluntary agreements.

NIE Networks, as members of the North, East, South, West Area Consortium (NEWSAC), commenced conversations with GB counterparts in advance of the Storm arriving. This is agreed and implemented on an organisation-to-organisation commercial basis.

As the severity of the storm impacts developed, we engaged with both the UK and Irish Governments on potential sources of mutual aid assistance. With support from COBR Unit, we were able to secure additional resources for NIE Networks at short notice. NI Water made requests via the WaterUK mutual agreement for additional bottled water supplies.

The Department for Infrastructure made initial requests for additional resources via COBR, but as they progressed their response efforts these were not needed.