Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

The potential threats to the State arising from international terrorism are continually monitored, principally by the Garda and the Defence Forces. The advice available to me is that while the Garda authorities recognise that the terrorist threat to Europe may currently be high, with regard to Ireland it is low. The awareness of the situation could change rapidly and that warning ensures that vigilance is maintained. In so far as possible the objective has been to confine and control threats before they translate to destructive action. Those principally charged with the precautionary activities, the Garda and the Defence Forces, are key to the process and they analyse information to assess potential vulnerability so as to facilitate resources being deployed in the most effective way.

With regard to emergency plans, the Garda, the Defence Forces, local emergency services and other bodies such as Civil Defence regularly take part in simulated exercises both within their own structures and collectively as part of their ongoing training policies. The Garda has primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. The potential threats to the State arising from international terrorism are continually monitored by them in co-operation with the Defence Forces. Accordingly there are strong structures in place and the planning is comprehensive.

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