Vol. 505 No. 2
58 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the way in which he has developed interdepartmental liaison contacts in relation to internal security issues outlined in his Department's Strategy Statement 1998-2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13310/99]
The 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. Contact between my Department and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department of Foreign Affairs on matters that pertain to internal security are regular and ongoing. The matter of internal security is kept under continual review in consultation with those Departments as well as with the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces.
