Written answers

Wednesday, 17 May 2017

Department of Defence

International Terrorism

Photo of Lisa ChambersLisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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69. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the additional initiatives the Defence Forces are taking in the wake of international terror attacks over the past 18 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23263/17]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The White Paper on Defence, published in the Autumn of 2015, considered the security environment, including the threat from international terrorism. It notes that the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for protecting the internal security of the State. The Defence Forces provide, on request, supports in aid to the civil power (ATCP) of an ongoing and contingent nature.

In this context, the security environment is kept under constant review. An Garda Síochána can request a broad range of supports from the Defence Forces including Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams and the Army Ranger Wing. On-going coordination and liaison meetings take place between the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána and, based on ongoing threat assessments, the Gardaí and the Defence Forces liaise with regard to possible Defence Forces supports required for a range of contingencies. In this context, I can confirm that there is very active cooperation between an Garda Síochána and Defence Forces including exercises.

The White Paper on Defence set the defence capability agenda for the next decade. In recognising the dynamic nature of the security environment, the Government decided that the Defence Forces would continue to retain a range of flexible conventional military capabilities, in order to meet the roles assigned and as a hedge to future uncertainty.

There are a broad range of White Paper projects currently being implemented which are intended to identify, and develop and maintain such capabilities. It remains a top priority for me and my Department to implement the White Paper projects and ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible.

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