Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together.

The National Security Committee, which is chaired by the Secretary General to the Government, comprises representatives at the highest level of the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Defence and Foreign Affairs, the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. The committee meets as required and will continue to do so. Given the security nature of its work, it is not appropriate to disclose information about the dates of individual meetings. I confirm, however, that it met last month.

Members of the committee liaise on an ongoing basis to monitor developments which might have national security implications, in particular in the international arena. The committee is concerned with ensuring that I and the Government are advised of high level security issues and the responses to them but not involving operational security issues.

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