Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am not a member of the national security committee. It comprises senior officials of various Departments and agencies. It meets periodically and the members are in touch on an ongoing basis. Its role relates primarily to classic security issues, particularly those associated with international terrorism. It does not have any formal role in emergency planning. Co-ordination in this respect is the function of the Office of Emergency Planning in the Department of Defence.

The committee liaises with other jurisdictions and agencies charged with combating international terrorism and such issues. There is a separate arrangement whereby I, as Taoiseach, am briefed by senior security personnel from time to time on more general matters of a criminal nature and other domestic issues. However, the international terrorism elements are dealt with through the committee.

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