Minister moves to allay 'terrorist strike' fears

The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, has denied he is in receipt of any intelligence about a possible terrorist strike.

Yesterday, in an interview with RTÉ news, Mr Smith said he had held discussions with the health services on what plans are in place in the event of a terrorist strike against Ireland.

His comments led to concerns he may have information on a suspected planned attack which had not been placed in the public domain. After the RTÉ interview Fine Gael's defence spokesman Mr Dinny McGinley TD called on Mr Smith to clarify his remarks.

"The Minister indicated in the television interview, that as part of an emergency defence plan he is engaging in discussions with the health service and other medical professionals," Mr McGinley said.

He added the Minister should take the opportunity in the Dáil today to outline the nature of the discussions and to explain whether or not the decision to commence these discussions was based on any intelligence.

However, last night a spokesman for Mr Smith moved to allay any fears arising from yesterday's interview. He said the Minister's comments on RTÉ related to the ongoing work of the Taskforce on Emergency Planning which has been operational since just after the attacks in the US on September 11th, 2001. The taskforce is made up of representatives from the gardaí and various Government Departments including Health, the Environment, and Transport.

It met three times a week immediately after September 11th, 2001, then weekly and now meets monthly. At the meetings Mr Smith is briefed on what emergency plans have been put in place. The Minister then briefs his Cabinet colleagues on the work of the taskforce.