Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The most important defence against terrorist attacks is detection and prevention by the security forces. While the Garda Síochána has the primary responsibility for law and order, one of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid to the civil power, meaning in practice to assist, when requested, the Garda Síochána. The various components of the Defence Forces are active in this regard, providing such assistance as is appropriate in specific circumstances.

The level of any terrorist threat to Ireland is continually assessed. The advice available to me would suggest that while the terrorist threat to Europe is currently high, for Ireland it is low. However, it is prudent that we take precautions and keep matters under continuous review.

The Defence Forces make contingency plans for a range of scenarios where the State may be at risk. An urgent and detailed review to deal with a range of emergency situations was undertaken by the military authorities following the events of 11 September. It included, inter alia, an update of the threat assessment, intensive contacts with other State agencies, a reassessment of operations orders relating to vital installations, alert systems, the Army ranger wing, ordnance and engineer aspects in terms of explosive ordnance disposal and specialist search and a review of equipment including the need for air defence. All matters arising were addressed and all procedures updated as required.

The assets available to the Defence Forces are related to the level of threat and are considered appropriate in this regard. Air defence capability requires the integrated use of aircraft, radar and air and ground-based weapons systems. The Defence Forces have a limited ground-to-air capacity. That has always been the position. The new Pilatus trainer aircraft will enhance the airborne elements of our air defence capability. However, we will still continue to operate a limited air-to-air and air-to-ground defence capability.

It would be inappropriate of me to go into specific details about the readiness, deployment arrangements or the speed of deployment or re-deployment of defence assets. However, I can confirm that all Air Corps aircraft have adequate numbers of operationally trained air crew who can operate from Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, which is available on a 24 hour basis where required. The shortest scramble time applicable in the Air Corps in certain circumstances is two minutes.

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