Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2004
115 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which military equipment has been upgraded in line with requirements arising from terrorist threats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18111/04]
View answer116 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself regarding the adequacy of military equipment, gas masks and or other breathing apparatus to meet all eventualities in the event of a terrorist attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18112/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 116 together.
The Garda Síochána has primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. It continuously monitors the potential threats to the State arising from international terrorism, in co-operation with the Defence Forces. The advice available to me is that while the Garda authorities recognise that the terrorist threat to Europe may be high, it is low in respect of Ireland. Notwithstanding that fact, it is important that all prudent precautions are taken and that matters are kept under continuous review.
The Defence Forces make contingency plans for a range of scenarios in which the security of the State may be at risk. They have put in place contingency plans regarding the provision of aid to the civil power. In practice, that means that they will assist the Garda, when requested, and provide assistance to the civil authorities for a range of emergency situations. The capacity of the Defence Forces to deal with major emergencies is kept under constant review. Plans and procedures are updated as necessary and the additional equipment that is required to address any perceived deficiencies is acquired on the basis of identified priorities. Training and preparation for such events is provided for in the annual training plan of the Defence Forces.
The Defence Forces have available to them equipment for monitoring and protecting their members in dealing with nuclear, biological or chemical threats that may be identified from time to time. The requirement for additional nuclear, biological or chemical equipment is kept under continuous review by the directors of operations and ordnance. A programme for the purchase of nuclear, biological or chemical equipment is ongoing. Such equipment that is deemed necessary is purchased expeditiously to meet changing requirements. The Defence Forces hold an extensive range of modern nuclear, biological or chemical equipment to meet their current requirements. In particular, a total of 8,000 new nuclear, biological or chemical suits have been acquired.
The Defence Forces have a sufficient stock of respirators for each individual soldier. They have 98 of the most technologically up-to-date chemical agent monitors. Defence Forces personnel are being trained on the operation of the monitors. Other equipment on hand includes biological agent detector and screening kits, group decontamination equipment and personal decontamination equipment. Of course, the most important defence against any attack is external vigilance, detection and prevention by the security forces. All the necessary resources of the Garda and the Defence Forces are deployed to that end.
