Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I listened this morning to the comforting tones of the Minister for Defence. It is great to know that the Irish people are safe from terrorist attacks after his pronouncements.

On a serious note, as the Dáil will not sit again for 12 weeks and there is concern about this matter, will the Government make arrangements for the leaders of the Opposition parties to receive a briefing on aspects of terrorist threats, however high or low they might be?

In 2002, the then Attorney General, Michael McDowell, raised the issue of non-consultation with his party about certain State appointments and a structure was put in place apparently to deal with that problem. Will the Tánaiste confirm whether Mr. Joe Burke has been appointed chairman of Dublin Port and, if so, were the structures put in place in 2002 followed in this case? Was there consultation with the Progressive Democrats group and the Green Party?

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