Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the most recent advice given to him by Garda authorities regarding the current level of threat to Ireland from international terrorists; the way in which the level of threat to Ireland compares to the level of threat to Europe in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6707/05]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps being taken to protect the State from terrorist attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6743/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 135 together.

I take it both questions relate to threats arising in relation to international terrorism rather than from indigenous terrorist groupings. Responsibility for internal national security is a matter for the Garda Síochána, with the support of the Defence Forces, as appropriate. The Garda authorities maintain an up-to-date assessment of the threat of attack from national and international terrorist groupings through analysis of intelligence gathered from domestic and international sources.

The Garda involvement for many years in fora within the European Union and further afield has ensured that excellent lines of communication and co-operation have been developed and fostered with police and security services worldwide. This facilitates the ongoing sharing of intelligence concerning terrorist groupings and enables a rapid operational response to be put in place where circumstances dictate.

Security threat assessments on the risk level to Ireland of terrorist attack are furnished by the Garda authorities at regular intervals to the Government and me. Although it is not the practice, and it would be contrary to the public interest to reveal the content of these threat assessments, the Deputy will appreciate that it is vital that the resources of the State are fully used to combat the real, ongoing threat posed by both national and international terrorism.