Vol. 412 No. 1
170 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the nature of activities undertaken by the Defence Forces in relation to aid to the civil power since 1985, including air ambulance; the procedures for the Garda Síochána requesting military assistance, and the number of such operations undertaken by year since 1985.
Primary responsibility for internal security rests with the Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power assist the Garda as required. The main activities with which they are concerned are: the provision of Border patrols including assistance in dealing with Border incidents; assisting the Garda at permanent and temporary road checkpoints; the protection of explosive materials used for industrial purposes; guarding of installations of vital national importance; the provision of bomb disposal teams; escorting and guarding prisoners; the provision of escorts for the protection of movements of cash; aerial support for operations in aid of the civil power, including aerial surveillance of the Border area; and maintenance of constant stand-to parties for the purpose of rendering assistance to the Garda where this may be required (e.g. marches and demonstrations).
Requests for aid to the civil power are normally made by a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of inspector.
For reasons of security it is not the practice to disclose details of the number of such operations.
The number of air ambulance missions flown in the period 1985 to date was:
|
1985 |
1986 |
1987 |
1988 |
1989 |
1990 |
1991 to 31 Oct. |
|
97 |
108 |
89 |
89 |
164 |
177 |
118 |
