Vol. 564 No. 2
56 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Defence the security and defensive precautions being adopted to protect Ireland in the event of a terrorist attack from outside the country; and if there are agreements with outside military forces to come to this country's assistance in the event of such an attack. [9039/03]
109 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the preparations he has made to prevent attacks on the State by terrorists or other such aggressors; the further preparations and plans he has put in place in the event of such an attack taking place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9204/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 109 together.
The Garda Síochána has primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. While the threat of terrorist attacks in this jurisdiction is the subject of continual analysis and assessment by both the Garda and the Defence Forces, the advice available to me is that there is no current credible threat to Ireland. Notwithstanding that, it is important that all prudent precautions are taken and that matters are kept under continual review.
The Defence Forces make contingency plans for a range of scenarios where the security of the State may be at risk. In addition, the Defence Forces have contingency plans in place in relation to the provision of aid to the civil power and the provision of assistance to the civil authorities for a range of emergencies. In the aftermath of the events of 11 September 2001, the Government established a task force on emergency planning. The objective of the task force is to ensure that all State bodies can react quickly and efficiently to any largescale emergency. As Chairman of this task force, my objective is to ensure that such responses continue to be characterised by effective management of all aspects of emergency planning and by a high level of public confidence in all the response arrangements.
The Office of Emergency Planning, which operates under my remit in the Department of Defence, is taking the lead role in emergency planning to meet the new threats from global terrorism, including co-ordination of Government emergency planning and responses by various agencies. Review and updating of existing emergency plans is ongoing to ensure a co-ordinated and effective response to large-scale emergencies. An urgent and detailed review of capacities and procedures to deal with a range of emergencies was undertaken by the military authorities following from the events of 11 September. It included, inter alia, an update of the threat assessment; intensive contacts with other State agencies; a reassessment of operations orders relating to vital installations, alert systems, the Army ranger wing, ordnance and engineer assets in terms of explosive ordnance disposal and specialist search and a review of equipment, including the need for air defence.
Guidance documents pertaining to aid to the civil power and aid to the civil authorities were also reassessed. All matters arising were addressed and all procedures updated as required. In accordance with Ireland's policy of military neutrality, Ireland does not participate in a military alliance or in any mutual defence pact with other nations. No agreements, therefore, exist between Ireland and any other State for military assistance in the event of a terrorist attack.
I agree with the Minister the Garda Síochána has a major security role to play, but in the event of such an attack, will the Minister agree that the Defence Forces have a very important role? We are currently almost on the precipice of a world conflict between religions and cultures, and Ireland could be a target for international terrorists. I do not see how the Minister can say with confidence that there is no threat to this country.
It is well known that terrorists go for soft targets. We all remember what happened in Bali in 2002. That was a soft target, and there are a number of such targets in this country. We need air cover to protect our citizens. Does the Minister believe that we have adequate air cover to protect ourselves, or would we have to call upon the assistance of another power, as the Minister indicated in the Dáil on 19 February? Is there an agreement, either formal or informal, with another power, such as the United States, for example? We have provided Shannon Airport as a facility to the US military. Is there a quid pro quo? Have they offered us assistance in the event of such an attack? Will the Minister agree that we do not have adequate resources for the rapid deployment of troops within the State? We have highly skilled and trained Army personnel, but do we have adequate air cover or do we have an arrangement with another country, formal or informal? Do we have adequate equipment and resources for the rapid deployment of our security and defence personnel in case of a terrorist attack?
The Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces share information and have considerable contact with intelligence sources outside of the State. I rely completely on the advice given by the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces in these matters, and I am continually in touch with both. There will be a further meeting of the task force tomorrow afternoon. On each occasion, whether the meetings are daily or weekly, the first item on the agenda is the threat assessment. The advice at present is that there are no current credible threats to this country, and it is very important that people not be unduly alarmed. That said, it is necessary to take every precaution possible in the event of something happening. Nobody can give absolute guarantees.
The Defence Forces possess a range of air defence assets, including radar for detection and weapons systems. The Defence Forces possess one Giraffe mobile air defence radar with a range of up to 40 kilometres and eight Flycatcher mobile air defence fire control radar, with a range of 20 kilometres. On air defence weapons, Defence Forces have 24 Beaufort L70 air defence guns.
I made it clear on the last occasion that even the wealthiest and best armed countries have a real difficulty when it comes to air defence. Given the amount of traffic between London and Dublin Airport, one would need aircraft in the skies continually if one were to have any prospect of dealing with the type of circumstances the Deputy outlined. It is important to know that when talking about international terrorism, we are talking about the international community and about all our contacts and friends in the European Union. While we cannot discuss security issues of this nature, as it is not the practice to do so publicly, the Deputy can be assured that the resources of this State and the contacts we have would be used to the best possible extent should an attack of that kind be imminent, although the advice to me is that is it not.
As far as the transport of Defence Force members is concerned, we have never had a difficulty anywhere in the country. We have the best transport facilities we have ever had.
