Joe Costello
Question:77 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces have been placed on any heightened state of alert in view of the war in the Gulf region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8923/03]
Written Answers - Defence Forces Operations.
The threat of terrorist attacks in this jurisdiction is the subject of continual analysis and assessment by both the Garda Síochána, which has primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State, and the Defence Forces. The advice available to me is that there is no current credible threat to Ireland. As the Deputy will appreciate, for reasons of security, it would be inappropriate of me to indicate whether or not the Defence Forces have been placed on a higher state of alert as a result of the war in Iraq. However, I can assure him that we are continuing to monitor the evolving situation to ensure 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 where the security of the State may be at risk. In addition, the Defence Forces have contingency plans in place in relation to the provision of aid to the civil power and the provision of assistance to the civil authorities for a range of emergency situations. In the aftermath of the events of 11 September 2001, the Government established a task force on emergency planning. The objective of the task force is to ensure that all State bodies can react quickly and efficiently to any large-scale emergency. As chairman of the task force, my objective is to ensure that such responses continue to be characterised by effective management of all aspects of emergency planning and by a high level of public confidence in all the response arrangements.
The office of emergency planning, OEP, which operates under my remit in the Department of Defence, is taking the lead role in emergency planning to meet the new threats from global terrorism, including co-ordination of Government emergency planning and response by various agencies. Review and updating of existing emergency plans is ongoing in order to ensure a co-ordinated and an effective response to large scale emergencies. An urgent and detailed review of capacities and procedures to deal with a range of emergency situations was undertaken by the military authorities following on from the events of 11 September. It included,inter alia, an update of the threat assessment; intensive contacts with other State agencies; a reassessment of operations orders relating to vital installations, alert systems, the Army ranger wing, ordnance and engineer assets in terms of explosive ordnance disposal and specialist search and a review of equipment including the need for air defence. Guidance documents pertaining to aid to the civil power and aid to the civil authorities were also re-assessed. All matters arising were addressed and all procedures updated as required.