Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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288. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which military intelligence can be enhanced to deal with potential terrorist attacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23432/17]

Paul 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 terrorist attacks. 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. On-going coordination and liaison meetings take place between the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána and, based on on-going 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.

The White Paper on Defence provides for the on-going development of military capabilities, having regard to the dynamic nature of the security environment.