Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again thank Deputies for their questions. Deputy Smith touched on the risk of terrorism, which remains a live risk and, I am afraid, not one we can be complacent about. Essentially, we have documented three categories of risk. The first is an attack from a loyalist or republican paramilitary organisation; the second is a domestic attack, perhaps from our own far right, far left or some other extremist group; and the third is terrorism with an international dimension, most likely some form of religious extremism. We have to be wise to the risks of that happening. We have seen it happen in countries like New Zealand, for example, and other small countries around the world where we do not expect major terrorist activities to happen, but they do. We need to be wise to the fact that that could happen here as well. There have been multiagency operations and training for that possibility should it ever occur. It is to be hoped it never does.

Deputies Smith and Ó Murchú drew my attention to plans to merge Cavan-Monaghan and Louth into a single Garda division. I understand this is part of a general plan to have larger divisions. As part of a modern policing service, it is something that, ultimately, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, but I can certainly make sure that he and the Minister are made aware of the Deputies' views.

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