Vol. 399 No. 11
38 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Defence the cost to the State of the provision of security by members of the Defence Forces for the transportation of cash and other securities on an annual basis; the number of personnel engaged from the Defence Forces; and the reason this facility is provided free of charge.
The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, give assistance to the Garda Síochána in protecting movements of cash. The question of the recovery of costs is not a matter for my Department.
The estimated additional cost excluding pay in respect of the Defence Forces of providing such assistance for the year ended 31 December 1989 was £1.4 million approximately. For reasons of security, it is not the practice to disclose details of the number of personnel engaged on such duties.
