Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Defence if the Government task force on emergency planning has met since the 7 July 2005 bombings in London to consider the way in which Ireland will deal with such a terrorist attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38173/05]

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Government task force on emergency planning continues to meet on a regular basis, most recently on Wednesday, 9 November 2005. A special meeting of the task force was convened on Wednesday, 13 July 2005 at short notice in the aftermath of the London bombings of 7 July. The next meeting of the task force is scheduled for tomorrow morning. In addition, the interdepartmental working group on emergency planning, which is chaired by the Office of Emergency Planning, also continues to meet on a regular basis. Potential threats to the State arising from international terrorism are continually monitored and preparedness is reviewed by those involved, principally the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. The current advice available is that while the Garda authorities recognise that the terrorist threat to Europe may currently be high, in regard to Ireland it is low.

International links have also been important as a means of sharing expertise and resources. The European Union continues to develop programmes to improve co-operation within the EU to prevent and limit any consequences of threats. This was given new impetus by the EU declaration on combating terrorism, agreed under the Irish Presidency in 2004, which, among other aspects emphasises the benefits of co-operation and co-ordination.

Arrangements regarding national security issues that may arise are primarily a matter for the Garda Síochána. Emergency planning preparations are designed to ensure that as far as possible, the necessary advance planning is in place to deal with the consequences of any incident that may arise.

The Minister for Defence will continue to report regularly on a confidential basis to Government on emergency planning and to promote collaborative approaches at Government task force and interdepartmental working group levels so as to enhance co-ordinated emergency planning and the corresponding response and management capacities of the State.

Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Can the Minister of State estimate the current level of threat to Ireland? Is there a need to update the national emergency plan in the light of the attacks on London on 7 July last? I read in a newspaper on 7 November that a meeting of senior security officials had emergency talks, while a separate group responsible for detailed planning to deal with major terrorist incidents, the Government task force on emergency planning, is to meet. Will the Minister of State tell us the up to date position?

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The potential threats to the State arising from international terrorism are continually monitored, principally by the Garda and the Defence Forces. The advice available to me is that while the Garda authorities recognise that the terrorist threat to Europe may currently be high, with regard to Ireland it is low. The awareness of the situation could change rapidly and that warning ensures that vigilance is maintained. In so far as possible the objective has been to confine and control threats before they translate to destructive action. Those principally charged with the precautionary activities, the Garda and the Defence Forces, are key to the process and they analyse information to assess potential vulnerability so as to facilitate resources being deployed in the most effective way.

With regard to emergency plans, the Garda, the Defence Forces, local emergency services and other bodies such as Civil Defence regularly take part in simulated exercises both within their own structures and collectively as part of their ongoing training policies. The Garda has primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. The potential threats to the State arising from international terrorism are continually monitored by them in co-operation with the Defence Forces. Accordingly there are strong structures in place and the planning is comprehensive.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister of State agree that the group set up after the attacks of 11 September 2001 has no legislation to underpin it despite the fact that it meets every month, that no additional funding has been allocated to it since then, that this is a clear indication that the Government does not take any threat seriously and that this group, if ever called on, will not be able to do what it is supposed to do?

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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There is not necessarily a need for legislation with regard to the management of crises. In this area, the situation can change rapidly overnight. The key point is that we have co-operation between Departments and that a committee is in place. We have that. Resources are available within Departments and in a crisis they are made available. I am therefore satisfied there is no need for legislation. We have many areas of co-operation, many interdepartmental groups working at Government level on all sorts of issues. In this area the key point is to have the right kind of co-ordination among the right people, and with the Garda, Defence Forces and Civil Defence involved, the right approach is being pursued.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Is the Minister of State aware that the Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Jim Sreenan, said at the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers or RACO conference that the best way to deal with terrorist threat is to invest in the intelligence services? Can the Minister of State say if the Government has plans to invest more money in the intelligence services?

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The most important defence against any terrorist attack is detection and prevention by the security forces. The advice available to me suggests there is no reason to believe at this time that Ireland or Irish air space is a direct target.

It is important that we are clear on our capabilities with regard to defending ourselves from terrorist atrocities and that people are not misled. As we know from experience, in the light of the tragic events of 11 September 2001 and more recently those in Madrid and London, there is no 100% protection against terrorist attacks. The important issue is that we make appropriate arrangements and take such precautionary measures as are necessary on the basis of information available to us. Vigilance, effective intelligence-gathering and analysis are essential and must be the primary means of protection. No country can protect itself fully. Even those with large defence budgets and possessing air defence establishments have difficulties in meeting these and other challenges.

Ireland's defence capabilities are relatively limited. However, the assets available to the Defence Forces are related to the level of threat and are considered appropriate and adequate in this regard. I agree with the Deputy that intelligence and co-operation with our colleagues, in particular our EU colleagues, is crucial in this regard.