Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Having regard to the security nature of the work of the national security committee, it would not be appropriate to disclose information about the dates of individual meetings or its proceedings. I can confirm that the committee met within the past month.

The committee is chaired by the Secretary General to the Government and comprises representatives at the highest level of the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Defence, Foreign Affairs, the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. It ensures the Government and I are advised of high level security issues and the responses to them, but not operational security issues.

The committee meets as required and will continue to do so. In addition to their meetings, the members liaise on an ongoing basis to monitor developments which might have national security implications, in particular in the international arena.

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