Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which the members of the Army, Navy and Air Corps have been issued with the necessary protective equipment in the event of having to deal with an emergency, such as chemical spillage or gas attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24268/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Defence when he expects all members of the Defence Forces to be supplied with the most modern equipment in terms of body armour or respiratory protection in the event of a gas or other attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24273/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Defence if all members of the army, navy and air corps are supplied with breathing apparatus or other means of protection in the event of a terrorist attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24274/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 213, 218 and 219 together.

An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. The potential threats to the State arising from terrorism are continuously monitored by them in cooperation with the Defence Forces. It is important that all prudent precautions are taken and that matters are kept under continuous review. The objective of the Government is to ensure that all State bodies can react quickly and efficiently to any large-scale emergency irrespective of whether it arises from an act of terrorism or from a man-made or natural disaster. The key issue in relation to responding to any terrorist attack is to have in place appropriate and effective plans to respond to the impact of that attack and to protect the civilian population.

The Government Task Force on Emergency Planning has worked, since it was set up in 2001, to coordinate emergency planning and response arrangements across those Government Departments that lead and support the State's response in an emergency. The focus for this work continues to be on making the necessary arrangements to, at best, prevent or, at least, minimise the risks from terrorist activities, ensuring that the protection available to the Irish people is maximised, putting mechanisms in place to support the response agencies and providing coordination for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

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 in relation to the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (meaning in practice to assist, when requested, an Garda Síochána), and the provision of assistance to the Civil Authorities for a range of emergency situations.

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. This range includes approximately 9,500 NBC suits, of which 800 were delivered in January 2006. In addition, the Defence Forces has 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 on their operation. Other equipment on hands 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.

The Deputy specifically refers to body armour. In that regard, a tender competition was held in 2005 for the provision of body armour for the individual soldier on operational duties. An order has now been placed for 6000 units for delivery this year. The new body armour provides significantly greater protection, comfort and coverage than the old model as well as a doubling of the range of sizes available.