Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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129. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the plans in place to mitigate against a terrorist attack; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25756/17]

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 a range of actions against these groups and to disrupt their activities, and they have had many successes in this regard. The Gardaí continue to work very closely with their police and security counterparts in Northern Ireland in tackling this threat.

Attacks such as the recent bomb in Manchester are a reminder that no state can be considered immune from the threat from international terrorism. The current assessment of the threat here is that while a terrorist attack here is possible, it is unlikely and there is no specific information in relation to any threat to Ireland from international terrorism. The level of threat is kept under constant review. The authorities here remain in daily contact with their counterparts in the UK, the EU and beyond.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Taoiseach chaired a meeting on 25 May to review the State's arrangements and level of preparedness in the event of a major terrorist attack here. Taoiseach and I as well as a number of other Ministers with relevant responsibilities attended, along with the Garda Commissioner, the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and senior officials. The meeting was briefed on the current threat assessment by the security authorities.

The House will understand that it is not the practice to disclose the detail of security arrangements that are in place, 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 considerable skills and resources of the Defence Forces are also available in support to the civil power when and where needed.

The Garda authorities are engaged in intensive, ongoing work aimed at preventing any attack taking place here. In this regard they work closely with the Defence Forces. Detailed preparations have also been made in the event of an attack. Other agencies also have plans in place to deal with the outcome of major incidents. Of its nature, much of this work cannot be disclosed publicly, but the Deputy should be assured that it goes on relentlessly.

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.

It is also important to note that overall national emergency management arrangements are in place, involving all the different agencies of the State. Co-ordinated by the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning and the Office of Emergency Planning, all the various agencies and bodies continue to work closely together in supporting co-ordinated responses to any incident that might arise.

Of equal importance is the ongoing work to counter radicalisation. It is important to ensure that in the context of attacks such as that in Manchester, our Muslim community is not unfairly stigmatised. The Gardaí have developed a strong model of community-level interaction with minority communities in the State, including our Muslim community, and will maintain that interaction in order to serve those communities and to ensure that vulnerable individuals within those communities can be supported appropriately.