Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2017
134. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if EU security will be discussed at the next EU Council meeting following the bomb attack in Manchester and the relentless ISIS attacks across the EU with many member states under high security alert. [25627/17]
View answerIn the circumstances of the threat from international terrorism, which was evidenced recently by the appalling attack in Manchester, the question of the terrorist threat and the measures to be taken to combat terrorism and violent extremism have been and will remain at the top of the agenda at my meetings with my EU counterparts within the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council.
The current threat environment stems, of course, from the ongoing conflict in Iraq and Syria, the influence of the actions of ISIL and suchlike terrorist groups, and persistent conflict and instability in regions neighbouring the EU.
Increasing the effectiveness of information and intelligence-sharing between relevant EU law enforcement services, enhancing border security measures, focusing on measures to counter radicalisation, including in the online space, have been among the priority themes for discussion and action. A series of measures is being rolled out to build on and improve the current operational co-operation and to identify areas to develop further the EU's supports for Member State's actions to counter terrorism. Ireland has been and will remain fully engaged in pursuing these developments.
