Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The description of the threat assessment, which has not changed for a number of months including in the aftermath of the attacks in Paris, is "possible but not likely". On the capacity of the Defence Forces to respond we, of course, keep that under constant review. Another review of capacity was begun in the immediate aftermath of the Paris attacks. I rely on my Chief of Staff and the Defence Forces to give me regular updates on response capacity, which changes all the time. From a military, policing or intelligence perspective, no country in the world, regardless of scale or resources, can protect its citizens against all eventualities. We are learning that at our cost internationally. We will constantly look to best international practice, share information and learn lessons. Within the White Paper, we talk about the need for flexibility, modernisation, change and constant review processes. In fact, the new White Paper sets out that the Defence Forces will have a fundamental review every three years. Part of the assessment in putting together the White Paper included an insistence on increasing the resources going to special forces and the size of the Army Ranger Wing by 50%. That makes a great deal of sense in the context of what has happened subsequently.

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