The South Eastern Health Board has purchased a mobile decontamination unit to deal with toxic, chemical and biological incidents in the region.
The €100,000 unit featuring the latest decontamination technology will be used by the Ambulance Service when and where necessary.
Cllr Séamus Ryan, chairman of the health board, expressed his delight at the arrival of the new equipment. "I welcome this new addition to the range of emergency equipment that the board has put in place for dealing with major incidents. This equipment will be vital for decontaminating people who have come into contact with toxic or chemical materials. It is completely mobile and can be brought to any area of the south-east as required."
Mr Ryan also expressed the hope that the equipment would be rarely used. "I hope that we never have to use it, but I am pleased that we will be in a position to cope with such an incident should it happen."
Mr Loughlin Nolan, chief ambulance officer with the board, stressed that training would take place throughout the south-east to ensure that ambulance and fire-service personnel were prepared should the equipment be required.