James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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857. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps he has taken as chair of the government’s task force for emergency planning to offset the threat of terrorism; the number of times the task force has met since December 2016; the number of occasions the Task Force has discussed the threat of terrorism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32500/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Primary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána.

As Chair of the Government task force on emergency planning, I am briefed at every meeting of the Government task force on the current security threat assessments, including those from potential domestic and international terrorism. The task force meets approximately every two months and has met on three occasions since 1 December 2016 and will meet again on 19 July 2017. As Chair, I may also convene a task force meeting at very short notice, if required.

However, in the event of an actual emergency incident occurring requiring a national-level response, the lead Department responsible would normally convene and Chair a national emergency co-ordination group meeting that would specifically lead the national-level responses to such an incident. In the case of a terrorist incident in Ireland that would require a national-level response, the Department of Justice and Equality would take the lead role in convening and chairing a national emergency co-ordination group to lead such a response and would be closely supported by An Garda Síochána and other Departments and Agencies.

From the regular briefings that I receive in my capacity as Minister with responsibility for Defence and as chair of the task force, I can inform the House that all the necessary steps required to offset these threats are being addressed, particularly by those with the lead responsibilities. It is not generally the practise, nor would it be prudent, to disclose any of the planning and preparations in place to offset these threats.