Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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62. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of additional initiatives being taken in the wake of the various international terror attacks over the past 18 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24337/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As an open and democratic society in the European Union, Ireland cannot consider itself immune from the current international terrorist threat. The assessment of the threat is that while an attack on Ireland is possible, it is not considered likely. Nor is there at present any specific information that an attack on Ireland is planned. The level of threat from this source is kept under constant review by An Garda Síochána, particularly in the light of ongoing developments and the current international situation. There is a small number of persons here whose activities in support of extremism give rise to concern and they will continue to be monitored closely by the Garda authorities and all appropriate measures will be taken in this regard.

The Garda Authorities will continue to take all necessary security measures proportionate to the level of terrorist threat and all the relevant agencies here co-operate closely in respect of any threats identified. The Deputy will understand, of course, that the detail of such security measures should not be disclosed publicly.

What I can say is that An Garda Síochána has developed 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 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 counter-terrorism exercises on a routine basis and, indeed, in deploying operational responses to critical incidents, they are routinely exercising the resources, skills and procedures that would be used in a terrorist attack. In addition, the considerable skills and resources of the Defence Forces are also available in support where needed.

The Garda Authorities continue to work closely with their EU and other international counterparts in responding to the shared threat of international terrorism. The Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the necessary resources to enhance their connectivity to a range of EU and other international resources and a significant programme of work is ongoing in this regard supported by dedicated funding. This includes connecting to the Schengen Information System, developing the processing of travel-related data and mechanisms for the exchange of criminal fingerprint and DNA data.

A series of further measures is rolled out at EU-level out to build on the current EU framework for information-sharing, combatting terrorism and controlling illegal firearms, and Ireland is fully engaged in participating in these developments.