Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 8: To ask the Taoiseach when the national security committee established to monitor the threat of a terrorist attack will next meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30631/09]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 9: To ask the Taoiseach when the national security committee which was established in the aftermath of the September 2001 terrorist attacks will next meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32528/09]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together.

Having regard to the confidential nature of the work of the national security committee, it would not be appropriate to disclose information about the dates of individual meetings or any of its proceedings.

The committee is chaired by the Secretary General to the Government and comprises representatives at the highest level of the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Defence and Foreign Affairs and of the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. It is concerned with ensuring that the Government is advised of high-level security issues and the responses to them, but not involving operational security matters.

The committee meets as required and will continue to do so. In addition to their meetings, the members liaise on an ongoing basis to monitor developments that might have national security implications, in particular in the international arena.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

With regard to the high-level committee, of which the Taoiseach is a member, is he informed of terrorist threats that arise regularly in Britain? Last week, for instance, there were further arrests of suspected terrorists in Britain. The case is made that, with the new programme for the provision of nuclear facilities in Britain, including at Sellafield, the areas in question are always the centre of discussion in terms of international terrorism. Does the British Government or its equivalent of our high-level committee keep in regular contact over terrorist threats or whether the status of a threat is moving from red to green, for example? Is there a flow of information between the two countries? The point is often made that if a plane were hijacked and approaching a target in Ireland, we would have to rely on assistance from the United Kingdom, our nearest neighbour. Is there two-way contact on terrorist threats?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am not a member of the national security committee. It comprises senior officials of various Departments and agencies. It meets periodically and the members are in touch on an ongoing basis. Its role relates primarily to classic security issues, particularly those associated with international terrorism. It does not have any formal role in emergency planning. Co-ordination in this respect is the function of the Office of Emergency Planning in the Department of Defence.

The committee liaises with other jurisdictions and agencies charged with combating international terrorism and such issues. There is a separate arrangement whereby I, as Taoiseach, am briefed by senior security personnel from time to time on more general matters of a criminal nature and other domestic issues. However, the international terrorism elements are dealt with through the committee.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Taoiseach indicated that the national security committee, which deals with the threat of international terrorism, briefs him as required. How often has it briefed him since he became Taoiseach and when was he last given a briefing by it?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I would not be given a briefing by the committee but by its chairman, who is also Secretary General of my Department. That would consist of an ongoing appraisal, where relevant, of issues as they arise. I am not briefed very regularly but there is ongoing contact at official level on these issues.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When did the Taoiseach last receive a briefing on the work of the committee?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It would have been some time ago but I would also have had formal briefings from senior gardaí and Army personnel since then on issues generally, including issues relevant to the committee.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Does the security committee have any role or function in assessing the threat to the security, health and safety of the Irish people arising from the recent announcement by the British Government to establish a new string of nuclear power plants along the western coasts of England and Wales? Did the Taoiseach or his Department initiate any evaluation of the British Government's proposals in the context of Irish interests, including the security, health and safety of the people, in light of what would occur if - God forbid - something were to go wrong, be it an attack or accident of some nature? Does the Taoiseach agree that we have traditionally reflected the Irish people's concerns to the British Government in regard to Sellafield and that we now face a multiplicity of Sellafield situations along the western seaboard of the island of Great Britain? Has the Taoiseach given any time to or thought about this and has he raised or does he intend to raise the matter with his counterpart, the UK Prime Minister? Has he instructed some Department here to raise the matter with its counterpart in the British Government set-up?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is an issue for the Minister in the relevant Department. Any views we have on this would be conveyed in this way.

I do not wish to say much more on the national security committee than what I said in my primary reply given the nature of its work. It liaises with relevant parties, it is an informal group and it keeps in regular contact. Issues such as international terrorism or a serious environmental discharge are part of its remit. However, the co-ordination of planning in respect of emergencies is dealt with by a unit in the Department of Defence.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In the context of the recent announcement by the British Government, will the Taoiseach indicate to the House a willingness on the part of the Irish Government to request an assessment of the British plan? Will he indicate at some time to the House or the leaders of the Opposition parties the results of the Irish Government's evaluation of the circumstances that would arise if the plan were implemented along the western seaboard of Britain?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The question relates to the Departments of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which continually monitor developments, the prospect of developments and policy issues that arise in neighbouring jurisdictions in so far as they affect us. These matters are brought to their attention in the manner I outlined.