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Leon Farrell via Rollingnews.ie
File Photo: An Garda Siochana carrying out an EU Coordinated Counter Terrorism Exercise.
# National Security
Is Ireland adequately prepared to defend a terrorist attack? 91% say No
The government has said that such an attack on Ireland is “possible, but not likely”.
THE VAST MAJORITY (91%) of people believe Ireland is not adequately prepared to defend a terrorist attack, according to a new poll.
The findings of a Claire Byrne Live/Amárach Research poll found just 3% of respondents believe Ireland is adequately prepared, while 6% don’t know.
The question was raised following the Paris attacks on Friday night which killed 129 people.
The State’s National Security Committee met on Saturday to consider the implications of the Paris attacks on Ireland and found that the threat level in this jurisdiction remains unchanged and the possibility was still low.
However, a former Defence Forces intelligence officer, Michael Murphy, made the point as far back as last year that the NSC lacks staff and does not have the ability to co-ordinate intelligence before an event.
As it stands the gardaí are responsible for law enforcement and national security.
Murphy called for a separate civilian intelligence agency to be established and for a director for national intelligence to be appointed.
However, An Garda Síochána released a statement yesterday afternoon which stated that gardaí have been in close contact with French and other close security partners to assess any implications for Ireland.
The Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald reiterated on Claire Byrne Live last night that such an attack on Ireland is “possible, but not likely”.
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