Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 300: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces who will be equipped with the necessary protective clothing, breathing apparatus or gas masks in the event of chemical attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32233/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 301: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which breathing apparatus or other protection likely to be needed in the event of a gas or chemical attack are available to the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32234/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 301 together.

The Garda Síochána has primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. It continuously monitors the potential threats to the State arising from international terrorism in co-operation with the Defence Forces.

The Defence Forces make contingency plans for a range of scenarios where the security of the State may be at risk. In addition, the Defence Forces have contingency plans in place regarding the provision of aid to the civil power — meaning in practice to assist, when requested, the Garda Síochána — and the provision of assistance to the civil authorities for a range of emergency situations.

The capacity of the Defence Forces to deal with major emergencies is kept under constant review. Plans and procedures are updated as necessary, and such additional equipment as is required to address any perceived deficiencies is acquired on the basis of identified priorities. Training and preparation for such events is also provided for in the Defence Forces annual training plan.

The Defence Forces have available to them equipment for monitoring and protecting their members in dealing with nuclear, biological or chemical, NBC, threats identified from time to time. They hold an extensive range of modern NBC equipment that meets their current requirements. That range includes approximately 7,000 NBC suits, 1,500 of which were delivered in 2004. A further 1,000 NBC suits have been ordered for delivery this year, and a further 1,000 will be delivered in 2006.

In addition, the Defence Forces have a sufficient stock of respirators for each individual soldier. They also have 98 of the most technologically up-to-date chemical agent monitors, and Defence Forces personnel have been trained in their operation. Other equipment to hand includes biological agent detector and screening kits, group decontamination equipment and personal decontamination equipment.

The requirement for additional NBC equipment is kept under continuous review by the Defence Forces. A programme for the purchase of NBC equipment is ongoing, and whatever equipment deemed necessary is purchased expeditiously to meet the changing requirements.