Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is regular training in these areas. Theoretical situations are created to look at response times. I am satisfied the Defence Forces are dealing with these issues in an appropriate manner. No one can ever predict with certainty that some unexpected and unplanned event will not take place. We should be proud of the professionalism of the Defence Forces, the extent of their training and planning, as well as their consideration given to a broad range of eventualities that can occur. That fits in neatly with some of the issues considered by the task force on emergency planning in respect of which theoretical exercises are frequently conducted on a comprehensive, whole-of-Department basis, involving several Departments along with the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána. Such an exercise took place within the past four weeks.

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