Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has ordered a review of legislation following a row over comments made by a British Islamic lawyer in Dublin.
Anjem Choudary, a leading Islamic radical, said at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) on Thursday that Ireland was a target for groups such as al-Qaeda due to the Shannon stopover. Gardaí forwarded a report on the incident to the Minister.
Yesterday a spokesman for the Minister said: "He has directed a review of all legal options to ensure that persons cannot abuse the hospitality given them in this country in this unacceptable way."
The review could involve looking at legislation under the Immigration Act to see if provisions need strengthening.
A spokesman for the Garda Press office said an investigation was continuing into the circumstances surrounding the incident for possible incitement to hatred.
As reported in this paper, Mr Choudary said before a TCD debate that it was not his personal view, but Ireland was considered a target because of the Shannon stopover taking troops to Iraq.
He said that was not a position of neutrality, and Ireland would be seen as collaborators with the US. Things should change in Ireland if it wanted to avoid the sort of attacks carried out in London and other places.
Yesterday Mr Choudary, in a comment to a news agency, said other media reports quoting him as saying that he believed Ireland was a "legitimate" target were incorrect. "I am not threatening the Irish, nor am I giving any veiled threats, but it seems that when a Muslim warns of potential danger then they are seen as terrorists and extremists.
"You don't need to be a rocket scientist to work out that if you're allowing your soil to be used for sorties, bombings, then some Muslims are going to see you as collaborators."
Mr Choudary was taking part in a TCD Philosophical Society debate. The society last night said it would continue to challenge and discuss important social and political issues.
"The Phil [Philosophical Society] does not in any way support the aspirations of Islamic fundamentalism. Rather, the Phil merely wishes to provide a forum for discussion and debate on issues such as Islamic fundamentalism that are relevant to wider society."
Earlier on RTÉ radio, Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea said the risk to Ireland of a terrorist attack was seen as quite low. He did not think the risk would lessen if the Shannon stopover were to go.
Fine Gael defence spokesman Billy Timmins TD said since the emergency planning procedures were still split between a number of Government departments, Ireland was no better prepared now than pre-September 11th to deal with a terrorist attack.