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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 2

Written Answers. - National Security.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

257 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he has given directions regarding national security or national emergency procedures in the wake of recent events; if so, the nature of such directions or instruction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22481/01]

At a meeting of the National Security Committee, which was convened on the evening of the attacks on the US, members of the Cabinet were briefed on the security precautions which had been put in place arising from those attacks. They were also briefed on the Department of Foreign Affairs' humanitarian efforts to trace relatives who might have been caught up in the attacks. A high level contact group was set up to monitor developments and emergency services were asked to ensure their arrangements were fully up to date.

Since then the National Security Committee has met on a number of occasions and the high level contact group has also met regularly. At the Government meeting on 18 September 2001, arising from a report of the contact group, Ministers were asked to ensure that all necessary measures were being taken to monitor and respond to the evolving international situation.

In support of the emergency planning authorities in updating their emergency plans it was arranged that the contact group would seek to identify specific additional threats which needed to be taken on board in revised emergency plans. There are ongoing consultations between the group and ordnance experts of the Defence Forces on the issues arising from the threat of chemical and biological weapons. Also, at a meeting in the Department of the Taoiseach of key Departments and agencies involved in emergency planning, arrangements were made for those ordnance experts to assist planning authorities in their review of existing plans to take account, as appropriate, of the requirements of the chemical and biological weapons threat.

A review of the structures under which emergency planning is conducted has taken place. The attacks on the US have clearly changed the context in which emergency planning must take place. Since the 1980s, the emphasis in planning was on peacetime emergencies, whereas now we are faced with new threats arising from resurgent global terrorism.

In those circumstances the Government has decided to set up an office of emergency planning in my Department. That office will take the lead role in preparing plans to meet the new threats from global terrorism. The Government has also decided that the office of emergency planning should have an oversight role in relation to planning for peacetime emergencies, in order to make maximum use of resources and to ensure compatibility and co-ordination between plans prepared for peacetime emergencies and for emergencies arising from terrorist threats.

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