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SOCIAL PROTECTION MINISTER Leo Varadkar has said security at Leinster House is far less stringent than other national parliaments he has visited.
Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said in the Dáil today that she will ensure all government premises, including Leinster House, are secure following yesterday’s terror attack near the House of Commons in London.
Answering a question from TD John Brassil, Fitzgerald said:
“We are all concerned to ensure that all premises are secured as much as possible, including this one. I assure the Deputy [John Brassil] that the safety and security of locations around the country, including this one, is of prime concern to An Garda Síochána and it has all relevant initiatives under way.”
When asked by TheJournal.ie if he was concerned about security at Leinster House, Varadkar said:
It is without a doubt that security going into Government Buildings and going into our parliament is much less than it would be visiting almost any other parliament that I have ever visited.
We have to be wise to the possibility that somebody could carry out an act of violence in our parliament – it might not necessarily be an armed terrorist – it could be anyone.
Of course there are hundreds of staff that work in the building also, so any reviews of security, taking into account what has happened in Westminster, would be very welcome.
The minister said that everyone must be “cognisant” of what happened in London, adding that an attack on a parliament is an attack “on the heart of a democracy”.
Garda briefing
Following yesterday’s terror attack, Fitzgerald said she was briefed by garda authorities and the Garda Commissioner Noírin O’Sullivan.
“An Garda Síochána is in constant contact with its UK counterparts, directly and through its liaison person there.
“Ireland cannot consider itself immune from the threat posed by international terrorism and extremism. The expert advice is that while an attack is possible here, it is unlikely,” said the Tánaiste.
All possible steps are being taken by An Garda Síochána, supported by Defence Forces where necessary, to deal with any threat to this country. They will continue to work very closely with UK and international colleagues to make sure that we remain safe.
There are a small number of people here whose activities are a cause for concern in terms of supporting terrorism. The authorities will continue to monitor them very closely.
Varadkar said the Irish government has extended its sympathies and words of solidarity to the British government.
He added that Irish officials have been in contact with the embassy in London to offer any consular support to the Irish citizen injured in the attacks, who is believed to be “recovering well from her injuries”.
Earlier today, Fitzgerald expressed her sympathies to all of those affected by yesterday’s “appalling outrage in London”.
If the people haven’t dragged ye out by now then you probably have nothing to worry about.
Great comment Dave. I was going to say that it’s disgruntled members of the public they need to worry about, not terrorists.
@Trisha Tully: I think that’s who they’re actually worried about
Seriously deluded sense of self importance our Leo.
Clown, why would you need stringent security at a pantomime Leo
Big shout out from Leo to all the religion of peace brothers – no security here lads!
Because our security alert level is ‘possible but unlikely’…very low…
No need to beef up security -put Noreen O Sullivan in charge.-the whistleblowers will alert her to any threat.Francis and Leo are full of their own importance.
Garda can’t even account for breathtaking samples for God sake not to mind guarding them clowns in Leinster house and a corrupt commissioner o Sullivan
Wasn’t only a few months ago that we were told that there was nothing to worry about and the country was well prepared and very secure.
Suddenly a place were politicians work gets targeted and security is now an issue for our politicians.
Clowns
I hope he did not intend that as a provocation or an invitation.
@Tony Daly: I think it’s more to invite pity.
One has to remember the veiled threat issued by the Halawa family to the Coalition Government over the state of Ibrahim’s dicky heart a few weeks ago.
@John Flanagan: ye that’s being played down but cause for concern I’d say.
@John Flanagan: or could it be they’re angry? Understandably.
Wouldnt be very confident in security there too, our Commissioner does not inspire confidence when it comes to real policing.
@Gus Sheridan: We have a Commissioner?
Well protected against water protestors though. Obviously the public present a clear a present danger more so than religious fanatics.
Maybe they’re feeling in-important, insulted that terrorists have more valuable targets than them to attack and wouldn’t waste a rotten egg on them. Anyone who’d even try it, would be locked up for stupidity more than the crime itself and would seriously discredit themselves in other terrorist’s eye’s.
@Stephen murphy: *un-important*
@Stephen murphy: True… Remember when the Yanks were tapping world leaders phones a few years back … poor auld Enda was almost indignant at being one of the few leaders in western Europe not to be tapped.
@Stephen murphy: they could put a huge sign over the dail “over here”
The whole place is full of insecure people, st.brendans should have a 24hr presence onsite.
I think he’s afraid of an attack from citizens who are angry that the political class in this country are largely corrupt and incompetent.
its hard to believe its 7 yrs since a a developer crashed his cement truck into the gates of the dail,and then to day its the same ah sure the chance of something happening here is low, but it did happen, regardless if its a disgruntle developer are a Muslim mad abasta@d,and we still put the unfitness garda as a deterrent in front the dail.
@Maurice Slater: he drove up to the gates he didn’t crash into them as far as I can recall.
True, it’s lax going in, but it’s worse coming out. They can leave by car, after getting pissed in the Dáil bar, and the Gardaí can’t do a bit about them.
Even monkeys can wave a stick.
That’s because we don’t invade other countries. When will we learn it never ever the answer. The poor men and women fighting suffer, the country is destroyed and due to the military might they can’t be defeated directly so the locals go for soft targets. When will the world learn.
@Bunny Johnson: Well you know there are plenty will tell there is no relationship between the Brits/French/US/Russia dropping tons of explosives on people in far of places and attacks like this. Either way its innocent people suffer because of the dangerous actions of irresponsible governments.
If the Security is stepped up, the politicians will be moaning about being stopped continuously….
I don’t think terrorists would waste the explosives on the shower of uselss pr**ks we have in the Dail
Idiot minister stands up and says over here lads we are a soft target….
@Kerry Blake: self pitying deluded idiot
No story about this eh?
@Maurice Slater: never let thr truth get in the way of a good story …. expect nothing less from the type of personality that uses this site …. http://m.independent.ie/irish-news/dail-gates-blocked-by-truck-26684839.html
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