Taoiseach Simon Harris has said that Ireland is not immune from the threat of domestic or international terrorism.
Mr Harris was responding to a question about reports in the Sunday Times that Garda Commissioner Drew Harris had written to Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to advise her that he has raised the threat level posed by violent political extremists from moderate to substantial.
Speaking in Carlow today, Mr Harris said he could not comment on confidential security briefings and gardaí would take whatever measures they believe are appropriate.
Asked if he was concerned about the threat to politicians in the run up to a possible general election, the Taoiseach said that he did not think we should allow "a small group of people to distort who we are as a people".
"I haven't detected any significant shift from the people of Ireland right across the country, and I think it is important to say that.
"But of course it is also important to acknowledge that we are a country that faces threats, and we're not immune from threats from extremism or terrorism, domestic or international."
He said that gardaí will carry out their job of ensuring a general election, whenever that might be, will take place in a safe environment and that all candidates can safely go about the democratic process.
In a statement, gardaí said it deems the overall national threat level to be moderate - this means that a terrorist attack is possible but not likely.
"Any change to the threat level from a specific sub-category and/or group is communicated by the Commissioner directly to the Minister for Justice," the statement said.
The Department of Justice issued a statement saying: "Ireland, like any other democratic state is not immune from the threat of terrorism or violent political extremism.
"The threat from violent political extremism is of concern and continues to evolve."
The Department said gardaí are monitoring this closely.
"Attempts to cause polarisation in society and a fracturing in social cohesion are a consistent and disturbing feature of the narratives spread by those involved.
"All the relevant agencies, including An Garda Síochána and the Defences Forces where needed, co-operate closely in respect of any threats identified that may have adverse implications for the security of the State, and work closely with their international counterparts in identifying and managing threats.
"The overall security threat remains unchanged at moderate," added the Department statement.
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