Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Defence if a review of preparedness for a terrorist attack here has been conducted in view of the 7 July 2005 bomb attacks in London; the current level of threat to Ireland from international terrorists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32004/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government Task Force on Emergency Planning has worked, since it was set up in 2001, to co-ordinate emergency planning and response arrangements across those Departments that lead and support the State's response in an emergency. The task force continues to meet on a regular basis.

Potential threats to the State arising from international terrorism are continuously monitored and preparedness reviewed by those involved, principally the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces.

The current advice available to me is that, while the Garda authorities recognise that the terrorist threat to Europe may currently be high, in relation to Ireland it is low. The awareness that the situation could change rapidly, and with little warning, has ensured that vigilance is maintained. As the Deputy will appreciate, the objective has been, in so far as possible, to confine and control threats before they translate to destructive actions.

Arrangements in relation to 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.