Vol. 720 Tuesday, No. 3 2 November 2010 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Tuesday, 2 November 2010. Resignation of Member …………………………… 499 Ceisteanna—Questions Taoiseach ………………………………… 499 Minister for Social Protection Priority Questions …………………………… 508 Other Questions …………………………… 519 Adjournment Debate Matters …………………………… 525 Leaders’ Questions ……………………………… 525 Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32 ……………… 530 Order of Business ……………………………… 532 Membership of Committee: Motion ………………………… 540 Service by Defence Forces with United Nations: Motion ………………… 540 Value-Added Tax Consolidation Bill 2010: Order for Second Stage …………………………… 541 Second Stage ……………………………… 541 Message from Select Committee ………………………… 550 Private Members’ Business Resourcing of the Garda and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement: Motion … 551 Adjournment Debate School Curriculum …………………………… 572 National Asset Management Agency ……………………… 575 Garda Stations ……………………………… 577 Questions: Written Answers …………………………… 581 DÁIL ÉIREANN ———— Dé Máirt, 2 Samhain 2010. Tuesday, 2 November 2010. ———— Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 2.30 p.m. ———— Paidir. Prayer. ———— Resignation of Member An Ceann Comhairle: Before I call on the Taoiseach, I wish to announce for the information of the House that I received a letter of resignation from Deputy James McDaid as a Member of Dáil Éireann with effect from Tuesday, 2 November 2010 and I have laid the letter before the Dáil. In accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 169, the resignation took effect upon my receipt of the letter. Ceisteanna — Questions ———— National Security Committee 1. Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Taoiseach when the National Security Committee will next meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30243/10] The Taoiseach: Having regard to the confidential nature of the work of the National Security Committee, it would not be appropriate for me to disclose information about the dates of its meetings or its proceedings. The committee, which is chaired by the Secretary General to the Government, comprises representatives at the highest level from the Departments of Justice and Law Reform, Defence and Foreign Affairs, and the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. It is concerned with ensuring the Government and I are advised of high level security issues and the responses to them, but not operational security matters. The committee will continue to meet as required. As well as attending meetings, the members of the committee liaise on an ongoing basis to monitor developments which might have national security impli- cations, particularly in the international arena. Deputy Enda Kenny: It is becoming obvious there is an ease of access to the fraudulent use of Irish passports, a passport which has particular integrity and credibility in international relations. In February this year, it emerged eight Irish passports were used fraudulently in an assassination in Dubai. This month several other Irish passports, possibly up to six, were used as a part of a Russian spy ring in the US. The concern, which I am sure the National Security Committee will consider, is the extent to which these fraudulent abuses continue and how little the Irish authorities know about them. British passports were abused in exactly the same man- 499 Ceisteanna — 2 November 2010. Questions. [Deputy Enda Kenny.] ner in the Dubai assassination scandal and their security was increased immediately. No such security enhancement took place to protect Irish passports. An Ceann Comhairle: Can we have a question, please Deputy? Deputy Enda Kenny: I am coming to it. The Taoiseach may be aware the number of Irish passports reported as lost or stolen in 2008 was 36,264, 6.3% of the total issued in 2008. An Ceann Comhairle: Does the Deputy have a question? Deputy Enda Kenny: The figure for 2009 was 33,214, 6% of total issued. These are stagger- ing figures. Has the National Security Committee considered the ease of access to the fraudulent and illegal abuse of Irish passports? Has the committee made a recommendation that security enhancements for the protection of Irish passports should be implemented? Has it considered the implications of such large numbers of passports being reported lost or stolen? The Taoiseach: As I stated earlier, due to the nature of the committee’s meetings, it is not appropriate to disclose the information concerning its meetings or any of its proceedings. This is a matter to be directed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs who has responsibility for the Passport Office. There has been a debate in the House on the specific instances referred to by the Deputy. Clearly this is an issue concerning older passports. The questions the Deputy has raised are ones that can be directed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs so that the information will be available to him. Deputy Enda Kenny: While I do not want to raise details of the matters discussed by the national security committee, the consequences of what the committee does in this case should become clear. In other words, there should be an analysis of what extra security arrangements must be made to protect the integrity of the Irish passport system. We cannot have a situation in which forged Irish passports are being used, as happened in the assassination case in Dubai. In addition, a number of Irish passports were used illegally by a Russian spy ring in the United States. In recent days, the American President announced intelligence findings concerning at least two parcels containing explosives that were detected en route from Yemen to the United States. One of them went through Great Britain. An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy should put a question. Deputy Enda Kenny: Some years ago, I raised a question here following reports that al- Qaeda cells were operating in this country. Given previous reports of terrorist personnel being located here, what is the Government’s response to the fact that at least one of the recently discovered parcels was being sent to the USA through Great Britain? We have an interest in ensuring that freight passing through this country is screened properly. We must not have a situation where, for their own reasons, somebody presses a button on a mobile phone and a sim card explodes material. In the recent cases it was titanium in toner packages. This has serious implications for international freight activities, so I am sure the Taoiseach will convey that concern to the national security committee. The Taoiseach: The gardaí are well aware of the international situation and the threat level involved. They are maintaining contacts with their international counterparts in this regard. The 500 Ceisteanna — 2 November 2010. Questions. Government is determined to continue to take all necessary measures to deal with international terrorism. It will play a full part in the international efforts to counteract the threat. As regards the specific issue raised by the Deputy, the discovery of two explosive devices on cargo aircraft bound for the United States is a very worrying development. These devices are believed to have originated in Yemen and were bound for addresses in Chicago. This bomb plot is a further indication of the ongoing threat from al-Qaeda-inspired militants. The threat from international terrorist groups against Ireland is considered to be low. However, the situation is being monitored constantly by the Irish authorities. Deputy Enda Kenny: The director-general of MI5 has said that there is a persistent rise in the ambition and activities of dissident groups on the island of Ireland. I know there is a very high level of co-operation between the PSNI and the Garda Síochána and between both Governments, which I fully support. More than likely, the identities of those concerned are known to the security forces. In that context, what is the Government’s latest assessment of the level of dissident or treacherous activity by so-called republicans? What is the Govern- ment’s analysis of the latest position? Has the Taoiseach yet received a copy of the 24th report of the Independent Monitoring Commission, which is due out this month? The personnel dealing with those reports are fully acquainted with the facts as they happen on the ground. The Taoiseach: I understand that report has come to hand recently, is being considered by Government and will be published in due course. Regarding the earlier point about dissident threats, as the Deputy has suggested there is unanimous support in the House for full co- operation between the Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI, and the Garda Síochána in these matters. The Chief Constable of the PSNI and the Garda Commissioner have confirmed that the level of co-ordination and co-operation is at an all-time high. As one would expect, they co-operate fully in these matters and the necessary resources are being applied to deal with those who would constitute a threat to the security of the State or to others in terms of paramilitary activity or paramilitary intentions. These are operational matters that the Garda Commissioner and his people deal with on an ongoing basis. Deputy Eamon Gilmore: In his reply the Taoiseach stated that due to the confidential nature of the work of the National Security Committee it would not be possible to give the dates, frequency and so on of the meetings of the committee and I understand this. However, given the increased vigilance which