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Taoiseach convenes first meeting of Government Security Committee

20170720 Security Meeting Post

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe brief the media after the inaugural meeting of the new Government Security Committee

Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar today chaired the first meeting of the new Government Security Committee.

The Taoiseach said:

Ireland is a safe and stable country, and one of the safest places in the world in which to live. Our current security status remains unchanged as moderate. Last week’s simulated event in the Dublin Docklands was very successful and the emergency response from An Garda Síochána was professional and reassuring. It has already proved instructive for dealing with future incidents.

However, we need to prepare for every eventuality. As I indicated earlier this year, in my view it’s important that Government Ministers should have active oversight of national security arrangements. That’s why I have convened the first meeting of this new Government Security Committee, combining Cabinet members and security officials.

Ministers were briefed by the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána on the current security situation. They were advised that the threat level is assessed as moderate, which means that while a terrorist attack is possible, it is unlikely at present.

The Committee also discussed the current arrangements for national security, reviewed the recent Docklands security exercise and discussed potential future exercises.

Read the full press release here.