Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

292. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will be in a position to augment any deficiencies in the Defence Forces in the context of a terrorist attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41771/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

294. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which he is confident facilities such as advanced training, state-of-the-art technology and any specific military equipment are available throughout the Defence Forces, with a view to ensuring a competence to deal with national or international security incidents; if he is satisfied the Defence Forces have adequate liaison with other militaries throughout Europe in the context of any potential threat to national security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41773/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

296. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which specialist skills in dealing with security threats remain available to the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41775/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

298. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which he will increase the strength of specific areas within the Defence Forces, with particular reference to specialist skills such as the decommissioning of explosives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41777/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 292, 294, 296 and 298 together.

The Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State and, in the event of a terrorist incident, it is An Garda Síochána who would be the first responders. Additionally, An Garda Síochána may request specific assistance from the Defence Forces in the context of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP). The Defence Forces retains a wide range of specialist skills which can be deployed in such circumstances.

I can advise the Deputy that I am assured by the Chief of Staff that he has the necessary resources to undertake all roles assigned by Government. The Defence Forces are adequately resourced to meet all operational demands placed on their services including those associated with Aid to the Civil Power.

Chapter 3 of the White Paper on Defence covers National Security and Defence Policy Response and it is important to reiterate what is stated there:

“It is now acknowledged that no state acting alone can address the entirety of these new and emerging security challenges. They require a co-ordinated, collaborative and integrated collective response, drawing on a wide range of policy instruments at national level and through multilateral collective security arrangements."

In that regard, the Defence Forces participate in specific counter-terrorism training initiatives with international forces on an ongoing basis. Defence Forces personnel have attended courses run by armed forces in the United Kingdom, the USA, the Netherlands, Spain and Turkey, amongst others. These courses include topics such as anti-terrorism, Counter Improvised Explosive Devices (CIED) and Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN).

With regard to Explosive Ordnance Disposal, new staff are currently being recruited to the Ordnance Corps and a number of officers are currently undergoing the requisite training programme to fill current vacancies. A planned programme of ongoing recruitment and training of Ordnance Officers to address current and future vacancies is also being put in place.