The Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter has said EU Ministers are concerned about a possible al-Qaeda attack in Europe after Islamist terrorists kidnapped 41 people in Algeria.

A 36-year-old Irishman is among the hostages who were taken captive following an attack on a BP and Statoil gas field yesterday.

The incident is being linked to the French intervention in Mali which is being supported by Britain.

EU Foreign Ministers will discuss the situation in Brussels today and it is also on the agenda at a meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Dublin.

"May engage" in EU terror act

Speaking ahead of that meeting Minister Alan Shatter said threats were made by fundamentalists in response to the action in Mali and now there is a concern for security in Europe too.

He said "there is always a concern that al-Qaeda affiliates may engage in some terrorist act in the European Union arising out of the events that have taken place".

"Of course that is of concern to me as in the Presidency of the European Home Affairs and Justice Ministers - I know it'll be of concern to other Ministers" he added.

Minister Shatter also said the events in Algeria are of "substantial concern" and he is in no doubt that talks are taking place "behind the scenes" both with the Algerian authorities and EU Ministers.