Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 1: To ask the Taoiseach when the high level group established by his Department in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks last met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1474/05]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 2: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the recent work of the high level group established by his Department in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attack in the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2604/05]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 3: To ask the Taoiseach if the high level group established by his Department in the aftermath of the 11 September terrorist attacks is still functioning; the current membership of same; when it last met; if he will report on its recent work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3502/05]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 4: To ask the Taoiseach if the high level group established within his Department in the wake of the 11 September 2001 atrocities in the United States has completed its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3696/05]

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 5: To ask the Taoiseach when the last meeting of the high level group on terrorism under his Department last met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4488/05]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together.

The National Security Committee, which is chaired by the Secretary General to the Government, comprises representatives at the highest level of the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Defence and Foreign Affairs and of the Garda and Defence Forces.

The committee meets as required and will continue to do so. Given the security nature of its work, it is not appropriate to disclose information about the dates of individual meetings. However, I confirm that it met on five occasions in 2004. In addition, its members liaise on an ongoing basis to monitor developments that might have national security implications, in particular in the international arena.

The committee is concerned with ensuring that the Government and I are advised of high level security issues and the responses to them, but not involving operational security issues.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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I have information from the relevant Minister that the Government forced the taxpayer to pay almost €2.5 million in subsidies to the Irish Aviation Authority to direct US military flights over Irish airspace in the course of the last year. Is this of concern to the high level group? Would any possible consequences of these flights be within the group's remit? Is the continued use of Shannon Airport at a high level by the United States military to facilitate the ongoing occupation of Iraq of concern? Does co-ordination take place between the high level group and the office of emergency planning and if so what is the nature of that co-operation? While I appreciate the office of emergency planning has a wider remit, we need to know whether the criticisms made about the readiness of the State for any kind of emergency have been addressed or whether we must depend on a few iodine tablets to more or less take care of any eventuality we might confront.

Is the Taoiseach aware that early in the new year west County Dublin experienced a mini-tornado, which fortunately was limited but still created frightful damage at the points where it touched down? The damage could have been much more serious and this is a serious point because of the potential nature of the damage and whether the emergency services are sufficiently resourced and capable of response.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Detailed questions including the Deputy's question about Shannon should be directed to the line Minister responsible. The Taoiseach may answer the other questions.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The office of emergency planning deals with the detailed day-to-day issues. Obviously if a policy issue or some vital information arises from the high level group, it would inform the Minister for Defence, who is on the committee, and he would inform his colleagues in the office of emergency planning which deals with the broader remit. There is that crossover of personnel involved in the security area. This committee would not be involved in the financing of the aviation authority. Policy decisions have been made on Shannon. It is not a matter for the day-to-day committee. We have made these facilities available for more than half a century in all kinds of circumstances. That is the policy we follow and it is not a day-to-day issue.

The committee looks at the ongoing information of an international security nature from Interpol or Europol concerning individuals involved in subversion or fund-raising for subversives internationally as well as information coming from the Garda or the Defence Forces on international or local matters. It is involved in the high level area of looking at new threats and new issues. On the Deputy's last question, there is always ongoing concern at all levels that our emergency response units in many ways are available for emergency and contingency arrangements. They can range from weather or climatic conditions, as mentioned by the Deputy, or the foot and mouth issue of a few years ago, which was a major issue that needed to be addressed with security co-operation, to international terrorism. An enormous range of issues concern the committee.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Revelations in February that 30 kg of plutonium had gone missing and was unaccounted for was a cause of great concern to those living in Britain and Ireland. Putting this down to an accounting discrepancy in a statement from BNFL is of no comfort to those affected, many of whom live in Ireland. In this regard, what contact has the emergency planning unit had with BNFL given that the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland expressed concern at this situation and that discrepancies in the extent of plutonium accounted for at Sellafield seem to be getting higher? Will the Taoiseach raise this——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Detailed questions should be addressed to the Minister responsible.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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This is about emergency planning.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is raising specific incidents which are the responsibility of the Minister. The Deputy should address a general question to the Taoiseach.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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God forbid that anything should happen in this regard. I am sure the Ceann Comhairle is anxious that these questions are asked and that he recognises the public concern in this regard.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I agree. That is why the issue should be addressed in a structured manner to the line Minister.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am not sure whether the Ceann Comhairle has "by-electionitis" but for several days he has been more than tetchy in this regard.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Standing Orders are quite specific.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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My question relates to emergency planning.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Detailed questions are a matter for the line Minister. That has always been the official position of this House.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Emergency planning always deals with details. It is not a matter of reassurances that we will be all right if something happens. I am talking to the Head of Government——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Chair has no choice but to implement Standing Orders.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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May I ask another question? The Taoiseach is aware that reports in February indicated that 30 kg of plutonium were missing from facilities——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That matter was raised in the House with the appropriate Minister. The Deputy has more ways than other Members of asking that question.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Will the Taoiseach raise this matter with the British Prime Minister?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That does not arise out of these questions.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is a general question about emergency planning. If the Ceann Comhairle will permit, I have a second question. The air fleet is of considerable age, with half of the Air Corps fixed-wing aircraft more than 20 years old and some as old as 32 years, and more than half of the Air Corps helicopters 20 years old, with some in service for as many as 41 years. If an aircraft left some other country and was presumed to be on a terrorist mission to Ireland, have we capacity in the air to defend ourselves?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Again, the Deputy's question is more appropriate to the Minister for Defence.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The office of emergency planning which co-ordinates the work relevant to Deputy Kenny's question and uses the various emergency services in preparing contingency plans is under the aegis of the Minister for Defence. All the issues raised by the Deputy, including those relating to aviation, are the responsibility of that Minister. The high level group was set up after the events of September 2001 to examine anti-terrorist legislation and international co-operation in this area. It works on that basis and is not involved in the issues raised by the Deputy.

Whenever incidents take place at Sellafield and even in the absence of such, the Government and I continue to engage directly with the British Prime Minister on this matter. I do not want to comment on the detail of the security issues because there is an ongoing legal action under UNCLOS where these cases are being made. The Government continually raises these issues in support of that legal action.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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What is the current assessment of the high level group concerning any international terrorist threat to this country? In particular, is information available on a threat from Islamic terrorists in this country? Has the high level group considered the position whereby a Boeing 737 is used by the CIA to traffic terrorists, whom it abducts in other states, through Shannon Airport? Will the Taoiseach, as Head of the Government, express a view on that matter?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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While this committee discusses information on one or other group of terrorists there is no particular or specific threat to this country. There is always information about the movement of certain individuals associated with different organisations who at times move through this country. They are small in number compared to their numbers in most other European countries. There is ongoing monitoring of some individuals but there is no group or body working as is the case in a number of European countries where there is considerable concern regarding these issues, as I know from European Council meetings and as Deputy Rabbitte will be aware from his colleagues involved in various groups. We do not have those difficulties.

On issues concerning Shannon and security, the high level group does not have particular concerns. It monitors what happens in Shannon and other airports and in respect of other issues. It is an advisory group and it would relay concerns to me if it has any in this regard, but it has not done so.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Has the high level group addressed or discussed the range of measures introduced by the British Government under the guise of anti-terrorist legislation but which attack basic human rights? I am speaking specifically in regard to condemning people to detention within their own homes and the abolition of jury trial in many more cases. Is the Taoiseach concerned that the legislation the British Government introduced will apply to citizens in the north of Ireland? Has he raised with the British Prime Minister the grave concerns of people here about the prospects of the introduction of compulsory identity cards for citizens under the jurisdiction of Westminster?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That does not arise under these questions.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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This legislation is being introduced as a direct result of the events of 11 September.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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It does not arise under these questions.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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It arises because this is what the British Government is doing allegedly in response to the events of 11 September and it will have a direct effect on Irish citizens on the island of Ireland. Has the Taoiseach addressed the matter of the introduction of compulsory ID cards? Irish citizens on this island should——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should leave it at that. This question is outside the realm of the five questions before us which deal specifically with the high level group.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Yes, and I have asked if this issue has been addressed by the high level group and if the Taoiseach has followed through by raising it because unquestionably Irish citizens will strongly object to compulsorily bearing British identity cards. Will the Taoiseach be good enough to take on board this issue?

Will he also advise the House of his position on this issue following the commentary of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform that in the event of this legislation being introduced these measures would also have to be considered — because of the Border — and more than likely introduced on this side of the Border in terms of compulsory ID, to which I believe the overwhelming majority of Irish people would strongly object? If the Taoiseach has not done so, will he indicate if he would be prepared to address these matters with the British Prime Minister at the earliest opportunity?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I repeat that the national security committee meets periodically and its members stay in touch on an ongoing basis. The committee's role relates primarily to classic security issues, particularly international terrorism. That is the purpose for which its members come together, namely, to examine information from Europol and Interpol in a broad sense, which would not be dealt with in the office of emergency planning in the Department of Defence. That committee has a formal role in emergency planning. Co-ordination of emergency planning is a function of the Department of Defence, particularly of that unit we set up some years ago. The national security committee raises questions when it becomes aware of gaps or inadequacies in this country's emergency response preparations. Such preparations tend to relate to potential emergencies which could be caused by threats or acts of terrorism, biological or chemical attacks or nuclear discharges. The committee is concerned with issues which are not ordinary day-to-day issues. It does not have a role in operational matters.

The issues referred to by Deputy Ó Caoláin have been raised in other forums by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on foot of complaints received from the public. Such complaints regularly originate in Northern Ireland but sometimes originate in the Republic of Ireland. We raise the operation of new legislation and procedures on an ongoing basis. I am aware of how the procedures have been operated against Irish citizens over the past year or so. We have raised that issue on a number of occasions. The key point in this regard, in effect, is the identification and classification of particular citizens who are pulled out of the normal mill and discriminated against. We have raised that issue many times and made a number of specific complaints in that regard.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Has the Government received similar advice to that given to the UK Government by its senior scientific adviser who said that climate change is more of a threat than international terrorism and needs to be considered as such? Deputy Joe Higgins raised that issue in his initial contribution. Will the Taoiseach indicate whether he believes that the high level group on terrorism is sufficiently well informed to do its job? The media has reported that Israeli secret service agents were caught at the weekend in the act of planning to assassinate a Palestinian member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade in Dublin. Is such information known to the high level group or does it learn about it in the Evening Herald like the rest of us?

Will the Taoiseach revise the Government's view to help the high level group to do its job? When ships like the HMS Illustrious, which carried nuclear weapons in the 1990s, are docked in Dublin Port, does the Government ensure that the group is allowed to instruct that searches of the ship can take place? I do not mean that it should be simply given a passing assurance that no nuclear weapons are on board. What is the policy of the Government in this regard? How well informed is the high level group, which needs to be taken seriously if it is to do its job properly? Similar questions can be asked about the Gulfstream jet and the Boeing 737 at Shannon Airport which were referred to earlier. Can such airplanes be searched? Does the Government accept the assurances of the American authorities——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy's questions would be more appropriate to a line Minister.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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——that prisoners are not being illegally trafficked through this country to Guantanamo Bay, for example? Is the high level group in possession of the actual facts in this regard? Are we just depending on assurances?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I state for the third time that the high-level group is not involved in day-to-day issues. The relevant procedures involve the Department of Transport for civilian aircraft and the Department of Foreign Affairs for military aircraft. The authorities' procedures, which have been laid down for 50 years, are followed in such cases and are updated along the way.

International security intelligence has improved significantly in recent years as a consequence of the investment of resources in Europol and Interpol. Intelligence information about the many terrorist groups and bodies, most of which are quite small, is given to the high level group. If such information is new or significantly different to that accruing from the day-to-day activities of the Garda — the Defence Forces have a different remit — it is discussed by the Garda. If, in respect of any of the organisations or Departments, it believed there was a gap regarding what was happening, it would make a judgment and advise on it. It would say it believed the procedure is in place because of a threat or implied threat, or because of the implications or what it picked up internationally. It would say the procedure should be reframed if necessary. Obviously, the Government would give that advice to the relevant Minister, Department or the office of emergency planning. That is how the procedure would work. The group would, as the Deputy suggested, get most of its information from international sources of information on terrorism. The Garda is actively involved in the various committees. If it is not actively involved in them, it is given the security intelligence on these international issues.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Arising from the Taoiseach's reply, does he not agree that the usual procedures associated with the landing of a civilian aircraft at Shannon Airport are not being fulfilled? The aircraft in question, which has been described in the international and local press——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is a question for the line Minister.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Is the Taoiseach concerned that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has said he would be appalled if Irish facilities were used to service an aircraft that was used for facilitating breaches against the international convention on torture? The Minister for Defence has said he cannot give an answer one way or the other. Will the Taoiseach undertake to investigate the report that Shannon Airport has been used to service an aircraft that was being used to ferry individuals to places of detention in Syria and Egypt where they may have been tortured?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is a matter for the Minister for Transport.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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It is not solely a matter of concern to the Irish press. Is the Taoiseach concerned about the reputation of the country internationally?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That does not arise out of these questions. I will take Deputy Costello's question.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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A Cheann Comhairle——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am taking the questions of Deputies Michael Higgins and Costello and the Taoiseach can answer both of them in a final reply.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The pertinent points raised by Deputy Michael Higgins deserve a reply in the normal way.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Absolutely.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Taoiseach is the Head of Government and he has been asked if he will investigate these matters. The Ceann Comhairle ought to permit him to reply to——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The question was a lot longer than that.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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If the Ceann Comhairle applied that approach there would be no question permitted other than what time the Taoiseach comes to work in the morning.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Or how he feels.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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No, if the Deputies submit questions, within the terms of which there are——

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Deputy Michael Higgins raised a number of matters——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach answers the questions directed to him but line Ministers' questions should be directed to a line Minister.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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——and he asked if the Taoiseach, as Head of Government, would have these matters investigated.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Guantanamo Bay——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not new, and Deputy Rabbitte knows that.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Deputy Michael Higgins asked whether the Taoiseach, as Head of Government, will have a number of specified matters investigated.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That does not arise from these five questions. It can be addressed in another way.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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What other way?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Chair has a difficulty in that, at the rate at which we are proceeding, it will take at least ten weeks to get through the Taoiseach's questions.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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With due respect to the Chair——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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If the Taoiseach——

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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——they are our questions.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy, the Chair is speaking. If the Chair were to allow questions on every single topic outside the questions submitted by Members, we would not even get through the questions in ten weeks.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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With respect, a Cheann Comhairle, we are the Members.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call on the Taoiseach.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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We complain about several matters regarding which the Chair cannot provide redress and therefore the Chair should permit the Taoiseach to reply on the matters regarding which we do not complain.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Nobody is preventing the Taoiseach from replying to anything.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Perhaps it would be helpful if I gave a short reply. There are procedures laid down on prisoners and munitions, for example, as I have already stated. If these procedures are breached, of course we would be concerned about it. I do not have any particular issue with the point raised by the Deputy. He has asked a question and I will pass it on to be examined.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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I thank the Taoiseach.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Last week we finalised Report Stage of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill, which came about as a result of the attacks of 11 September 2001. Did the final two amendments made by the Minister come from the expert group? One was to set up a second Special Criminal Court and the other was to oblige service providers of fixed lines and mobile phones to retain data for three years.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I very much doubt that although I could not be certain they did not. I doubt the group went into that much detail.