Fitzgerald confident Gardaí have access to language skills required to tackle terrorist threats

Taking questions in the Dáil this afternoon the Minister did not say whether those reports were incorrect.

But she said the Garda Commissioner had no concerns about the ability of Garda units to monitor dangerous individuals.

“In relation to the access to language skills, the Garda Commissioner has informed me that the Gardaí have access to all the language skills and resources which they require to enable them to support their operational activates in respect to persons that may be a cause of concern here,” said Minister Fitzgerald.

The Minister for Justice has also announced that her department has secured extra funding of €4m for next year to allow Ireland's participation in the Schengen Information System.

The Schengen Information System is a centralised secure database used by European countries for maintaining information related to border security and law enforcement.

Fitzgerald added while SIS would provide a more efficient way of sharing information, the Gardaí already make full use of the range of information sharing means available to them, including Interpol, Europol and bi-lateral information exchange.

“In light of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, I am determined to press ahead with the necessary steps to allow Ireland to participate fully in the Schengen Information System as quickly as possible,” said Fitzgerald in a statement.

“Ireland has been a strong supporter of Schengen since our application to join its non-border aspects was approved in 2002 but due to the economic situation which began in late 2008 and has prevailed up until very recently, plans to develop the infrastructure to allow us to participate in SIS II had unfortunately to be put on hold.

“I am pleased that I have secured the necessary funding to reactivate those plans.”