Emergency Evacuation

ED E

With the current situation ongoing in Texas, do Irish officials have the power to initiate a mandatory evacuation of an area/city/county?

Just curious. A quick google didnt throw anything up.

nuac

afaik AGS and Fire Officers have such powers

Victor

One day, years ago, I arrived at work for the evening shift to be told there had been a modest fire (cigarette with silk fake flowers). It seems that several customers had to be arrested to get them to leave.

It seems that general emergencies can only be called by councils, not the state. That said, the state can call a military emergency.

ED E

So if the rock shelf on Cumbre Vieja goes and the whole south coast needs to GTFO is the only power suitable a military emergency? Or can AGSs "instruction of a garda" be applied en mass?

Peregrinus

If people are not prepared to leave in order to avoid a megatsunami, they're hardly going to leave to avoid an arrest and a fine, are they?

I can think of all kinds of legal powers that might be useful in dealing with natural catastrophes - the power to close roads, to seize vehicles or equipment, to enter premises, etc, etc. But a legal power to compel people to leave, not so much. If their self-interest doesn't persuade them to leave, I don't think the police will have the resources that enable them to prioritise arresting, charging and processing them.

Victor

ED E wrote: »

So if the rock shelf on Cumbre Vieja goes and the whole south coast needs to GTFO

If that happens, dealing with stragglers would likely be the last thing on people's minds

is the only power suitable a military emergency?

But there would be no military threat. Each council could separately declare an emergency.

Or can AGSs "instruction of a garda" be applied en mass?

That generally can't be used when you are at home.