Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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781. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps being taken to increase security and defence in view of the London attacks; if full funding and legislative provisions have been put in place to implement the Schengen information system (SIS); and if a timeframe can be given for full operationalisation of SIS here. [27396/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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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 and active review by the Garda Authorities. The House will understand the detail of security arrangements that are in place should not be disclosed. 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.

They 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.

As the Deputy will be aware, the former 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. The former Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, 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.

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 those in London and 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.

The authorities here will continue to work closely with their EU and other international counterparts in responding to the shared threat to national and international security. The work of Garda liaison officers who are permanently based in other jurisdictions and in international bodies such as Interpol and Europol, greatly facilitate the prompt exchange of information and intelligence on criminal activity. Such international liaison has led to many parallel investigations with international law enforcement agencies. An Garda Síochána also shares and accesses information with its EU and other partners through a number of other different sources and systems, both bilaterally and multilaterally. 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.

In addition to our extensive work on prevention and preparedness, priority is being afforded to Ireland's joining the Schengen Information System. In December 2016, An Garda Síochána entered a contract for full end-to-end delivery of the SIS, from ICT development to full operational roll-out, and they are working intensively with their contractors on the early stages of that contract. In parallel, my officials are working with An Garda Síochána and other Government Departments and Agencies to ensure that we can fully implement all aspects of the Schengen Acquis in relation to police and judicial cooperation. It is not currently possible to give a timeframe for full operationalisation of the SIS, because there are significant external dependencies in relation to EU evaluation. Our aim is to commence that evaluation process in 2019.