Vol. 509 No. 4
55 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Defence the number of patrols and checkpoints mounted by the Army in the Border area during the first six months of 1999; the plans, if any, he has to reduce this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20452/99]
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. This entails assisting the Garda at roadblocks, checkpoints and searches including in the Border area. The Defence Forces also assist the Garda in relation to prisoner escorts, cash escorts and explosives escorts.
Requests to the Defence Forces by the Garda in relation to Border duty include the provision of armed parties for the purpose of protecting Garda and the carrying out of duties such as vehicle checkpoints and mobile security patrols, specialist search team tasks and explosive ordnance disposal tasks. It is not the practice, for security reasons, to give details, such as numbers of patrols or checkpoints, relating to these operations.
The Defence Forces will continue as necessary to respond to requests from the Garda for aid to the civil power in the Border area. The level of demand on the Defence Forces in aid of the Garda in the Border area following on the Good Friday Agreement is kept under review in my Department in consultation with the relevant Departments, that is the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department of Foreign Affairs as well as with the Garda authorities.
