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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Jun 1984

Vol. 352 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Border Security Duties.

18.

asked the Minister for Defence if he agrees that each Army unit should serve a term of duty on the Border as units stationed there have to carry the major share of security duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Units of the Defence Forces stationed in Border areas were established primarily to operate and undertake security duties in those areas. Over the years they have become familiar with and have acquired expertise in the demands of their security role in Border areas. Units of the Defence Forces stationed elsewhere throughout the country also undertake a heavy burden of security duties on an ongoing basis.

While the position is kept under constant review, I am satisfied that the existing arrangements in relation to security duties provide for the optimum use of available manpower and equipment. Such arrangements allow for the deployment of additional troops to Border areas as necessary to meet particular situations.

I am sure the Minister is aware that the main burden of security falls on units operating on the Border. Is he aware that from 1969 to 1975 it was traditional for other units from the Southern, Western and Eastern Commands to relieve troops serving on the Border? As one who served on the Border for a number of years, I suggest to the Minister that this was very welcome. Will he examine the situation?

The deployment of troops and the allocation of duties to particular units is essentially a matter for the military authorities and it would not be appropriate for me to tell them how best to discharge that obligation. I understand they are satisfied that the best way of discharging the obligation of providing security at the Border is to leave it to the units that were especially established and located in the Border areas.

As a former serving officer, I understood that the Chief of the Army, apart from the command staff, was the Minister for Defence and that the policy of the Army was laid down by the Government.

General policy is laid down by the Government but the implementation of that policy is a technical matter falling within the operational sphere and appropriately that is a matter for the Chief of Staff and the officers commanding the Commands. It would be entirely inappropriate for me, a civilian, to indicate to the Army how they should conduct their affairs.

Is the Minister aware that the level of duties performed by officers, NCOs and men on the Border is substantially higher than the level of the same kind of security duties performed in the Southern, Western and Eastern Commands?

No, I do not agree with the Deputy. While the incidence of duty is high throughout the Defence Forces there is no excessive incidence in the Border areas as compared with the rest of the country. In some units at a particular time there may be operational demands that would increase the incidence of duty for a particular unit vis-à-vis, say, a unit in the south but at other times of the year the position might have to be reversed depending on what operational needs manifest themselves from time to time.

Will the Minister give that subject some consideration? As one who lives in the area and who has soldiered in the area, I am satisfied that what I have stated is a fact. I ask the Minister to give the situation his consideration.

I would be concerned if there was an unduly higher incidence of duty falling on any particular section of the Defence Forces. I will make further inquiries arising out of the Deputy's supplementary question.

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