Vol. 396 No. 8
24 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself that sufficient bomb disposal personnel and equipment are available in the Dundalk area of County Louth when requested to assist the gardaí in clearing the Dublin-Belfast rail line when bomb threats are made against the line on the southern side of the Border, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have sufficient resources to meet requests from the Garda Síochána for assistance in dealing with bomb threats.
Would the Minister consider the possibility of inquiring into or urging on the Defence Forces and the gardaí who are called to deal with interferences with the line, the importance of responding quickly without delay to any matters needing attention? Would he accept the possibility that because these attacks have become so frequent there might be an element of complacency in responding? Travellers on the train have been wondering why it takes so long for the Defence Forces and the gardaí to arrive, particularly the Defence Force bomb disposal people.
I will certainly bring the urgency of the matter to the notice of the Defence Forces personnel involved. They are very understanding in relation to this problem. The back-up is available at Dundalk, almost on the spot, and further back-up can be brought from Dublin. There is a drill in place whereby a unit in Dundalk can go into immediate operation and get further back-up from Dublin if necessary. The Deputy will be there tomorrow with the other Deputies from The Workers' Party. This is a matter I should like them to talk about. We are rather proud of the fact that a very good unit has been established who have had one or two successes in recent months. I take a personal interest because they are doing a practical job for which they are very well equipped. They should get every help and encouragement possible. I will certainly bring the urgency of the matter to their notice. The Deputy might do that tomorrow as well.
