Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of additional gardaí that have been assigned to deal with the increased terrorism threat in recent months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19454/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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At the latest date for which comprehensive figures are readily available, there were 14,523 fully attested members of An Garda Síochána with a further 229 recruits in training.

For operational reasons it is not the practice to comment on specific anti-terrorism measures relating to the security of the State. However, intelligence-led operations targeting the activities of dissident republican groups continue to be given priority, commensurate with the threat posed, which is closely monitored in consultation with international law enforcement agencies. Such operations involve strategic deployment of both local and specialised operational Garda Units. Close cooperation exists at all levels between An Garda Síochána and its Northern Ireland counterparts in the context of countering and investigating the activities of such groups.