Time for Ireland to ‘get real’ on security - Timmins

Govt putting cost factors before safety of citizens

Fine Gael Defence Spokesman Billy Timmins TD has said he is very concerned about the low priority given to emergency planning in Ireland following the terror alert at UK airports.

“The unfolding situation at all airports in Britain illustrates yet again that there is zero room for complacency in arrangements for emergency planning, security and counter-terrorism. We are not yet in full possession of all the information regarding the ongoing security alert at all British airports, but it appears a major terrorist attack on transatlantic flights has been averted. I would like to congratulate those involved in foiling this attack. Given Ireland’s close links with both Britain and the United States, Irish citizens would undoubtedly have been caught up in any large-scale incident of this type.

“However, I remain seriously concerned by the lack of priority given to emergency planning in Ireland. I have called for the work of the Task Force on Emergency Planning to be underpinned through legislation, and for the creation of a single emergency planning body which would report to the highest level of Government, namely the Taoiseach. This is in line with a recommendation from the Emergency Planning Society (EPS), made to Government in 2003, yet this recommendation has never been acted upon.

“I raised this recommendation with the Taoiseach last July, but he informed me it would not be acted on as ‘substantial costs would be associated with [the] suggested approach’. Cost should not be a factor in the protection of civilians, and it is unacceptable for this serious recommendation to be waved aside so casually.

“The fact remains that Ireland’s emergency response is split between a large number of Government departments, State agencies and sub-groups. Emergency situations have been simulated but we have no real information about these exercises or their findings. Not surprisingly, a survey conducted earlier this year found that 70% of the population did not believe Ireland was well-prepared to cope with a serious emergency.

“It’s time for Ireland to ‘get real’. The tactics of international terrorists have changed, and the new focus on suicide attacks is designed to maximise the loss of civilian life. Ireland, being so close to Britain, has a clear responsibility to ensure our State is not used as a launching post for terrorist attack. The protection of civilians is the highest responsibility that any Government can hold. Given that the majority of Irish people feel we are unprepared to cope with a serious emergency, how seriously do Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats really take this responsibility?”