I propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 147 and 149 together.
As I indicated to the House on 3 October 2000 the roles of the Defence Force as assigned by Government are set out in the White Paper on Defence which was published in February this year. To aid the civil power – meaning in practice to assist, when requested, the Garda Síochána who have the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State – is among the assigned roles.
As can be seen, the primary responsibility for internal security rests with An Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, assist the gardaí as required. This entails such duties as assisting the gardaí at roadblocks, checkpoints and searches, including in the Border area. The Defence Forces also assist the gardaí in relation to prisoner escorts, cash escorts and explosives escorts. No change in this role is envisaged. The question of the level of demand on the Defence Forces in aid of the Garda is kept under constant review in my Department in consultation with the relevant Government Departments as well as with the Garda authorities.
The total cost in respect of the provision by the Defence Forces of assistance to the Garda Síochána in protecting movements of cash in 1999, the latest full year for which figures are available, was £4.5 million approximately. In line with the Government decision imposing a charge on the banks, part of these costs are recouped. In 1999, £2.25 million was refunded by the banks to my Department.