Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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411. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Irish citizens currently involved in fighting in the Middle East or Africa; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30417/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware I have previously informed the House that it is estimated that in the region of 25 to 30 individualsof Irish origin have travelled to various conflict areas in North Africa and the Middle East since the beginning of the Arab Spring uprisings in December 2010. While some of these people travelled for family or humanitarian reasons, some travelled to participate in conflict and a small number are known to have lost their lives since then.

The Deputy will appreciate that the potential threat posed by foreign fighters is a matter of shared concern at EU and the broader international level. While it is a problem of much greater proportions for other states, Ireland, like any other democratic country with similar values, is not immune to a threat from international terrorism. While an attack on Ireland is possible it is not assessed as likely and there is no specific information in relation to a threat to Ireland. An Garda Síochána is keeping the level of threat from international terrorism under continuous review in light of ongoing developments and will continue to take all appropriate measures to counteract this threat. The Garda authorities work closely with their international counterparts in this regard. In this they have the full support of the Government.