Written answers

Tuesday, 21 November 2006

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Terrorist Threats

9:00 am

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 193: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures being taken to allay people's fears that terrorist attacks at Irish international airports are a real threat following the revelations on the BBC that a Muslim cleric has been exhorting attacks on an airport here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38995/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Aviation security arrangements at Irish airports are kept under continuous review by both the Department of Transport and the National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCASC). The NCASC is chaired by the Department of Transport, and both my Department and the Garda Síochána are represented on it, together with a range of other key stakeholders. I understand that the Department of Transport conducts regular security inspections and tests of aviation facilities and all operators at Irish airports. These facilities and operators are also subject to audit by the European Union, European Civil Aviation Conference and International Civil Aviation Organisation, in partnership with the Department of Transport. In addition to these site-specific measures, the Garda Síochána maintains an up-to-date assessment of the threat to this State from international terrorist groups through analysis of intelligence gathered from domestic and international sources. Moreover, the Garda Síochána has developed excellent lines of communication and co-operation with security and intelligence services in the European Union and further afield. This ongoing sharing of intelligence enables a rapid operational response to be put in place where circumstances so warrant. It is not the practice and it would be contrary to the public interest to comment on specific alleged threats or measures taken in response to ongoing security issues.

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