Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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54. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which An Garda Síochána is adequately equipped to deal with all forms of security threat, including the activities of criminal gangs, and of international terrorists; if she is satisfied with the availability of intelligence and the necessary technology to ensure the ability of An Garda Síochána to deal adequately with any current or emerging threats to the security of the State and to the people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42348/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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This question is on the need to ensure the availability of adequate resources, technical and otherwise, to the Garda Síochána to meet the challenges presented by organised criminal and potential terrorist gangs.

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Recent events have brought into focus the potential threats that democratic societies face from international threats. It must be recalled that the primary security threat facing the State is from so-called dissident republican paramilitary groups. These groups are inextricably linked to organised crime in order to fund their activities. At present, over 40 people are before the Special Criminal Court charged in connection with subversive activity. In view of the nature of this activity, I am having the necessary arrangements put in place to set up a second Special Criminal Court to reduce delays in listing trials.

The Garda authorities have the appropriate resources available to them to tackle threats from these sources but given the evolving nature of the security and organised crime threat, the Garda Commissioner is carrying out a review and will let me know of any additional requirements that may arise. I have secured an extra €4 million so that we can be part of the Schengen information system, which is a very important database with real life active information on it about current threats.

The Garda Síochána, which is the security force in this State, will take all possible steps to deal with any threat to this country, combining a strong intelligence base with a well-trained, armed, special intervention and support capacity, and a range of other local and national policing and investigative resources dedicated to countering both security threats and the activities of organised crime gangs, whatever their origins.

A primary response capacity is the Garda's emergency response unit, which is specially trained in counter-terrorism responses and hostage-type incidents. The armed regional support units, the special detective unit, the drugs unit and organised crime unit also have key roles to play in this regard.

The Criminal Assets Bureau has a particularly important role to play in tackling organised crime and has been successful in targeting the assets of those involved. Since its establishment, it has secured a total of €28 million from persons who have been associated with the Provisional IRA in the past.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for the comprehensive reply. I congratulate the Garda Síochána for the work it is doing in this area. Pending the internal review to test the adequacy of the potential response in various circumstances, is it possible or advisable to identify within the Garda Síochána areas that might come under pressure in the event of an escalation of criminal activity of one kind or another?

Are the Garda authorities satisfied regarding the rapid deployment and the extent to which it can be carried out in the event of an emergency?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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This is a key issue, heightened all the more by recent events in Paris, and was discussed at the meeting of the justice and home affairs Ministers. There will be further meetings this week. It was made clear that international co-operation is key to dealing with this issue. Exchange of intelligence information, identification of the travel routes of suspects, the use of Interpol and Europol databases and the Schengen information database are all very important responses.

Nationally, people also need to be aware that the Garda has a response unit, the emergency response unit, which is specifically trained and is the first line in counter-terrorism. I will say again that its members are specifically trained in counter-terrorism responses and hostage-type incidents. The armed regional support units, the special detective units and the drugs and organised crime units would also be involved in rapid response.

The Defence Forces can be called in as an aid to the Garda and civil authority. They have a range of expertise which they have been using during the years to deal with the type of terrorism seen on this island. As I said, they have much experience of dealing with explosive devices being placed in a variety of locations across the country.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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What is the extent to which the Minister and the Garda authorities remain satisfied with the degree to which intelligence levels have been developed, as well as the provision of adequate surveillance and other resources for An Garda Síochána? Is there an early warning system that will detect potential criminal movement in sufficient time to enable the Garda to become alert to a threat? What is the extent to which An Garda Síochána can interface with Interpol and Europol to follow through on issues that may arise both internally and externally?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Garda is heavily involved with Interpol and Europol in information exchange. Following the Paris attacks on the Friday, I was briefed on the Saturday by the national response unit which was dealing with the information that was coming through. It was already in contact with Interpol and Europol. Interpol had asked for information from Ireland but no specific information emerged on a threat to Ireland or any person here who had been involved in the Paris attacks. The Garda was immediately alerted to this and involved.

The Deputy is correct that enhancing the capacity for developing good intelligence and intelligence-sharing internationally is increasingly important. There is definitely room for greater co-operation in that regard. At the last Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting the point was made that it was extremely important to have a database of radicalised individuals who were returning to Europe from the Middle East and to ensure the authorities were aware of those who presented a danger to European societies. A further point, one that is continually made by international police forces, is that quite a number of terrorist attacks have been prevented because of good intelligence sharing. That is obviously the position we want to reach to prevent attacks, as opposed to dealing with the tragic aftermath of such attacks, as we saw in Paris recently.