Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Justice and Equality has given the Cabinet a comprehensive report on the possible threat posed to Ireland by international terrorism and the measures to prevent attacks. There is no specific information in relation to any threat to Ireland from international terrorism. The Deputy made the point that Ireland might be being used in some way as a hub or transit area, or indeed as a location for training camps. This has been suggested in the media. Ireland is not a transit hub for people to travel to Turkey or beyond on their way to Syria, any more than any other country with international flight connections could be said to be a hub for such people.

There is no evidence to support assertions that appeared in the media that there are organised terrorist training or recruitment camps in this country. We take such threats very seriously. The Minister for Justice and Equality is updated on a regular basis by the Garda Commissioner and the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Murphy, and I are in constant contact with our European colleagues. Only last Monday, on behalf of the European Union, the High Representative, Ms Mogherini, issued details of an EU-wide plan to ensure we were alert to a threat and also to ensure there was no accommodation or tolerance for people who were prepared to threaten the legitimacy of the state or engage in terrorist activity.

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