Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2005
392 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself regarding the adequacy and alert warning mechanisms in the event of a terrorist attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6934/05]
View answerThe Garda Siochána has primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. The potential threats to the State arising from international terrorism are continuously monitored by them in co-operation with the Defence Forces. The advice available to me is that, while the Garda authorities recognise that while the terrorist threat to Europe may currently be high, in relation to Ireland it is low. Notwithstanding this, it is important that all prudent precautions are taken and that matters are kept under continuous review. The objective of the Government is to ensure that all State bodies can react quickly and efficiently to any large-scale emergency. The key issue in relation to responding to any terrorist attack is to have in place appropriate and effective plans to respond to the impact of that attack and to protect the civilian population.
The Government task force on emergency planning has worked, since it was set up in 2001, to co-ordinate emergency planning and response arrangements across those Government Departments that lead and support the State's response in an emergency. The focus for this work continues to be on making the necessary arrangements to, at best, prevent or, at least, minimise the risks from terrorist activities, ensuring that the protection available to the Irish people is maximised, putting mechanisms in place to support the response agencies and providing coordination for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
International linkages have also been important as a means of sharing expertise and resources. The European Union continues to develop programmes to improve co-operation within the Union, to prevent and limit any consequences of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear terrorists threats. This was given further impetus by the EU Declaration on Combating Terrorism, agreed under the Irish Presidency last year, which, among other things, emphasises the benefits of cooperation and coordination.
A critical issue in an emergency situation is the question of issuing adequate and timely warnings and providing the necessary information to the general public on threatened or developing emergency situations. The EU civil protection mechanism and other international mechanisms provide Ireland with certain warning and alert systems. Television and radio broadcasting will be the key means of contact with the public in such circumstances but all other means of communication will be utilised.
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 relating to the provision of aid to the civil power — meaning in practice to assist, when requested, the Garda Siochána — and the provision of assistance to the civil authorities for a range of emergency situations.
The objective of the Government is to ensure that all State bodies can react quickly and efficiently to any large-scale emergency.
As chairperson of the Government task force, my approach continues to be that such responses should be characterised by effective management of all aspects of emergency planning and by a high level of public confidence in all the response arrangements. I will continue this work and I will report regularly to Government and to this House on these matters.
