Emergency equipment which can carry out preliminary tests on suspect terrorist chemical substances has been bought by the Department of Defence.
The equipment will be able to test for smallpox, ricin and other dangerous substances, the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, told The Irish Times.
Major progress has been made since the September 11th attacks in 2001 to improve Ireland's national emergency planning, Mr Smith said, although the Republic had never been at direct risk of attack.
"Responses will be characterised by effective management of all aspects of emergency planning and by a high level of public confidence in all response arrangements.
"While the threat to Ireland continues to be low, vigilance has been maintained, as there is an awareness that, no matter how carefully the available information is analysed, the situation could change with little notice," he said.
Protective nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) suits had been bought for all members of the Defence Forces, said the Minister, who presented a report to the Cabinet on the state of emergency preparations this week.
The past year had been one of "consolidation", he said. "Steps have been taken to build on the work done since 2001, to formalise the arrangements that have been put in place and to lay the groundwork for the future."
He said he believed there was now a need for a statutory office to co-ordinate emergency planning and to inspect the plans of all national and local bodies and authorities. "The office would act like the Equality Authority, or a similar type of body. There probably is a need for a completely independent examination," the Minster added.
The Garda Síochána and other security services have worked closely with foreign intelligence bodies to monitor suspected members of al-Qaeda and other similar organisations. "There is a lot of surveillance going on. Telephones, including mobiles, are being monitored. This information is being shared, where appropriate," one source commented.
