Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if security at Irish embassies and consulates abroad has been reviewed following recent rioting in the wake of publication of cartoons in the European media; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6838/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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My Department regularly reviews the security of Irish missions abroad from the point of view of the safety and protection of personnel, both staff and visitors, and the security of all official premises and their contents. In addition, as part of the risk management process within the Department, our missions abroad have crisis response plans for dealing with emergencies that would threaten the safety of their staff or of Irish citizens within their area of accreditation. These are reviewed regularly.

In the light of recent events, the Department has remained in particularly close contact with our missions in the Middle East and the Gulf states. Through the reports received from them, and through contacts with our EU partners, the Department is able to monitor the situation effectively and on a continuous basis.