I rise today because this House must confront a pattern of incidents that raise serious questions about public safety, national security awareness and the State's capacity to respond. Most recently in Navan, County Meath, a woman claimed to have a bomb strapped to her during a children's confirmation in a church. While the details are still emerging, the targeting of a place of worship fits into a broader and troubling pattern. Last year, two gardaí were attacked with a knife on Capel Street with the attacker shouting the term "Allahu Akbar" and later stating in court that he was inspired by ISIS. The year before, an Army chaplain was stabbed in Galway by a perpetrator who also admitted being inspired by Islamic extremism. These incidents do not exist in isolation. International experts and people who monitor this have warned of Islamic extremist networks in Ireland, including the Muslim Brotherhood front organisations.

Recently I visited Dubai and met Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, chairman of the defence affairs committee of the UAE Federal National Council. They have recently cut all of their student grants here in Ireland with the Irish universities and asked their students from that area not to attend universities here in Ireland. Let me be clear. There is a crucial distinction between Islamism and the vast majority of Muslims who are law-abiding members of our society. That distinction must be maintained not only because it allows us to identify genuine threats but because confusion and ambiguity are assets to extremists and a danger to genuine Muslims. What capacities and capabilities does the Government currently have to monitor emerging risks? How is intelligence policing being done and community engagement being co-ordinated? What concrete steps are being taken now to prevent further incidents?

This House needs a full debate on the State's preparedness. The Government must outline what additional tools and resources are required to keep people safe. Transparency and action are needed now.