An urgent review of the Republic's security needs was called for yesterday by Fine Gael TD Mr Gay Mitchell.
Mr Mitchell said: "We do not have sufficient defence cover or arrangements with others who have the capacity to provide adequate defence needs, specifically through the EU. We do not have sufficient stocks of certain types of medication." Hospitals were not equipped to deal with "certain types of emergencies" and the ambulance service in Dublin could not cope with a serious emergency. "The situation in the rest of the country may be similar", he added.