Vol. 542 No. 4
1 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence the arrangements which are in place to defend this State and the institutions of this State against an air attack such as occurred in New York; the arrangements which have been agreed to with the British Government should a plane be hijacked in Irish airspace and substantial concern arises that any such plane could be used here, in Britain or any other European Union member state to mount such an attack. [24753/01]
The dastardly deeds in the United States on 11 September 2001, have highlighted new security risks for the entire world. While the threat of terrorist attacks in this jurisdiction is the subject of continual analysis and assessment by both the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces there is no reason to believe that Ireland is a direct target. Notwithstanding that, it is important that all prudent precautions are taken.
In this regard mutual assistance and co-operation is maintained between the Irish security services and those of other countries to ensure effective flows of relevant intelligence. It will be appreciated that, in the interests of security, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific measures being undertaken to guard against or to counter such terrorist attacks.
At a meeting of the security committee which was convened on the evening of the attacks on the US on 11 September members of the Cabinet were briefed on the security precautions which had been put in place immediately arising from those attacks. A high level contact group was set up to monitor developments and emergency services were asked to ensure their arrangements were fully up to date. Since then the security committee has met on a number of occasions and the high level contact group continues to meet on a regular basis. In the aftermath of the terrorist events of 11 September, the National Civil Aviation Security Committee, NCASC, which is chaired by the Department of Public Enterprise and which includes, inter alia, civil and military representatives from my Department, has convened seven special meetings to date, the first of which took place on the day following the events in the United States. At those meetings, the NCASC has been reviewing existing aviation security procedures for Irish aviation in the light of the current security situation, has strengthened existing procedures and is examining specific security proposals.
As regards the handling of a hijacked aircraft, procedures have been agreed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, for the exchange of relevant information between member states.
At the Government meeting on 18 September 2001, arising from a report of the contact group, Ministers were asked to ensure that all necessary measures were being taken to monitor and respond to the evolving international situation. In support of the emergency planning authorities in updating their emergency plans it was arranged that the contact group would seek to identify specific additional threats which needed to be taken on board in revised emergency plans.
Additional information
The unprecedented attacks on the US have clearly changed the context in which emergency planning must take place. Accordingly, a review of the structures under which emergency planning is conducted has taken place, following which the Government have decided to set up an office of emergency planning in my Department. That office will take the lead role in emergency planning to meet the new threats from global terrorism.
I ask the Minister to confirm that he is aware that the Chief of Staff said that this State has no airborne defence capacity. I ask the Minister to answer the question I asked him. If he learned this afternoon that a plane had been hijacked in Irish air space, that it was in Irish air space and if there was a concern that it was going to be used as a weapon to crash into people and buildings in this State, in the United Kingdom or in France, is there an arrangement in place with the British Government which would allow us to call for assistance from the RAF to intercept such aircraft?
The Chief of Staff made that statement. We do not have an air intercept capability; we have surface to air missiles. The Deputy is talking about a doomsday situation. In the Indian situation recently, the captain in the cockpit of the plane thought the hijacker was in the rear; the people in the rear of the plane thought the hijacker was in the cockpit. There must be a degree of certainty about these matters in the first instance.
The number of planes using the airspace means that there is a need for a degree of accuracy and this calls for a care which is certainly not within our capacity. I am fairly certain that it is not available too close to us either.
I ask the Minister if he was informed with certainty that a civil aircraft within our airspace had been hijacked and if there was a genuine and real concern that the aircraft would be used in the same fashion as aircraft were used in the United States, what would happen? What action would the State take? What arrangements have been agreed with any other state to take action? Would we simply sit back and adopt the Joe Jacob philosophy of military technique which maintains that it will be all right on the night? The people are entitled to know if something specific has been agreed.
I said in my reply that we co-operate with the international aviation people. It would be extremely unwise for any Minister for Defence to outline in any detail to this House or in public the arrangements that would be made to deal with hijackers and murderers in that instance. Security measures-—
The Minister either has or has not arrangements.
I cannot discuss this matter beyond what I am saying. The Deputy can rest assured that the Government is giving the highest priority at all levels to dealing with matters of such concern.
The question is simply answered without the need for giving full details to the House. Are there arrangements in place to address that situation after the information has been received and to address that situation in a manner that is both responsible and protective in so far as life can be protected? Do arrangements exist or is something simply being contemplated?
Very briefly, Minister, the time is up on the question.
I do not wish to add to panic and fear on these matters—
This is outrageous. Either arrangements exist or they do not.
The Deputy may rest assured that as far as our security measures are concerned, everything possible is being done to deal with any eventuality.
