Vol. 429 No. 3
9 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Defence if additional resources are being provided to equip the Defence Forces to carry out the most important role of providing security back-up to the civil authorities along the Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Since becoming Minister for Defence I have visited a number of military locations on the Border area and I am satisfied that members of the Permanent Defence Force who operate there have sufficient resources, both in terms of manpower and equipment, to undertake the various tasks allotted to them.
There are three infantry battalions, a cavalry squadron and other supporting elements, including bomb disposal teams and specialist search teams, permanently located in the Border area.
Military personnel assist the Garda Síochána in patrolling the road network around the Border area as well as assisting in the operation of mobile and permanent road checkpoints. In addition, Air Corps helicopters and aircraft, which provide aerial support, assistance, and reconnaissance, are stationed in Border areas.
These resources are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are adjusted as circumstances warrant.
I thank the Minister for his reply. Have any new initiatives been taken and will resources be made available to improve the mobility of the members of the Defence Forces and to improve their equipment, especially in view of the threats by the Protestant paramilitaries to make attacks in the South? Could the Minister outline any advances made in this area?
This question should properly be addressed to the Minister for Justice. When Minister for Foreign Affairs I visited many of the Border posts and I was very impressed by the work being done by the Garda Síochána and the Army. The Deputy is aware that the Army are in aid of the civil power and they have a serious responsibility for maintaining security on the Border in conjunction with their colleagues in the Garda Síochána. They are doing a very good job. I do not want to hide under the security umbrella, but I cannot give figures to the Deputy. The Deputy can take it that what is being done by the military personnel on the Border is very adequate indeed.
