Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2004
129 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has discussed with his EU counterparts the possibility of a terrorist attack and the means with which to deal with it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9504/04]
View answerOn 19 March, I chaired an extraordinary meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council of the European Union, at which a draft declaration on combating terrorism was agreed and forwarded for consideration at today's extraordinary meeting of the European Council. The draft declaration contains a range of measures aimed at enhancing member states' responses at Union level to the terrorist threat arising from the Madrid bombings.
Domestically, I am informed that the Garda Síochána has excellent lines of communication and co-operation with police forces and security services in the European Union, which are used on an ongoing basis and in response to particular events, including the Madrid bombings.
I am further informed that such ongoing sharing of intelligence enables the Garda Síochána to put in place a rapid operational response where circumstances so warrant.
