Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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225. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which An Garda Síochána has the necessary personnel, equipment and organisational capacity to withstand a terrorist attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33472/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The level of threat of a terrorist attack here is kept under constant and active review by the Garda authorities. The Deputy will understand that it is not possible to go into the detail of the security measures in place in this regard. However, I can assure the Deputy that the authorities here will continue to take all necessary and appropriate measures to counteract the threat.

An Garda Siochána has in place appropriate operational measures to prevent and to respond to terrorist incidents in terms of intelligence, a well-trained and equipped special intervention capability and other national support resources, including armed support. The considerable operational skills and resources of the Defence Forces are also available where needed. Additional resources were provided in the Garda Vote last year that included a dedicated allocation of funding for combating the threat from international terrorism. This is being used in respect of certain additional training, operational equipment and personnel requirements.

The establishment of the Armed Response Unit for the Dublin region is a key investment in enhancing the armed response capacity for critical incidents and in freeing up and supporting the specialist capacity of the ERU. The resources requirements and allocations in this regard are being kept under active review.

The long-standing and progressive community relations programme that the Gardaí operate in respect of their interactions with minority communities is a key element of seeking to combat the potential for radicalisation in our Muslim community. That interaction will continue and be enhanced, aimed at protecting the community and addressing any concerns or vulnerable individuals who may be identified.

There is a very significant programme of investment ongoing to enhance the information resources available to the Garda Authorities, including access to the EU's Schengen Information System and the development of dedicated border security information systems to process passenger information.

The Garda authorities also work very closely with their EU and other international counterparts in taking measures to counteract what is a shared threat. As might be anticipated, there is a particularly close relationship with counterparts in Britain and Northern Ireland in this regard in taking measures to address this threat.