Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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147. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which An Garda Síochána continues to be upgraded and supported to combat acts of terrorism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24694/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The House should be aware that the primary security threat in the State is that posed by the so-called 'dissident' republican paramilitary groups who continue to oppose peace on this island. Combatting these groups remains a priority for the Government and the Garda Authorities. The Gardaí continue to take actions to disrupt these groups and their activities, and they have had many successes in this regard. The Gardaí will continue to work closely with their police and security counterparts in Northern Ireland in tackling this threat.

Attacks such as last night’s bomb in Manchester are a reminder that no state can be considered immune from the threat from international terrorism. There has been no change to the threat assessment for Ireland. The threat assessment is that while an attack is possible, it is unlikely. The level of threat is kept under constant review by An Garda Síochána, particularly in the light of ongoing developments and the current international climate.

The Garda Authorities will continue to take all necessary security measures proportionate to security threats and all the relevant agencies here co-operate closely in respect of any threats identified. Of their very nature, it would be unwise to disclose publicly the detail of security measures. Where needed, the considerable skills and resources of the Defence Forces are available in support.

An Garda Síochána has considerable operational capacities in countering terrorism and in responding to critical incidents. There is, in particular, a highly trained and well-equipped special intervention capability in the Emergency Response Unit that is supported by the regional Armed Support Units and the range of other resources across the Garda organisation. The additional funding of €55m I secured for the Garda Vote last year included dedicated additional resources for countering the threat from international terrorism. As the Deputy will know, an additional dedicated Armed Response Unit for the Dublin area was established last year.

An Garda Síochána carries out dedicated, counter-terrorism exercises on a routine basis and works with the Defence Forces and other agencies and services in this regard.

The Garda Authorities continue to work closely with their EU and other international counterparts in responding to the shared threat of international terrorism, and information and intelligence-sharing is essential in this regard. In this regard, I am committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the necessary resources to enhance their connectivity to a range of EU and other international resources. A very significant programme of work is being brought forward in this regard, supported by dedicated funding. This work includes connection to the EU Schengen Information System, IT mechanisms for exchanging criminal fingerprint and DNA data and in developing systems for processing travel-related data to support border security.