Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 2

Written Answers - Army Operations.

Paul Bradford

Question:

113 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Defence the number of Army personnel involved to date in foot and mouth disease operations; the cost incurred in such operations to date; and if the Army's involvement is now being scaled down. [13842/01]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

128 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence the total costs incurred by the Defence Forces through the provision of assistance for the Garda in relation to patrols or checkpoints arising from the foot and mouth disease scare; the total number of personnel hours involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13780/01]

Alan Shatter

Question:

183 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence the number of Army personnel involved to date in foot and mouth disease operations; the cost incurred in such operations to date; and if the Army's involvement is now being scaled down. [13881/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 128 and 183 together.

The number of Defence Forces personnel involved in rendering assistance to the Garda and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development arising from the foot and mouth disease scare is as follows:

23 February 2001 to 1 March 2001	40 personnel per day
2 March 2001 to 21 March 2001	160 personnel per day
22 March 2001 to 18 April 2001	250 personnel per day
19 April to present	160 personnel per day

The total number of man days spent on the operation to date is 14,000. The estimated additional costs incurred as a result of Defence Forces involvement in the foot and mouth disease operation, exclusive of allowances, amounts to £233,000. The overall estimated cost of allowances to date is £520,000. The number of Defence Forces personnel involved in the entire operation was reduced from 250 personnel to 160 personnel on 19 April 2001. This was due to the scaling down of the Cooley Peninsula operation where the Defence Forces operated 34 checkpoints, seven mobile patrols and assisted in the culling of wildlife. The Defence Forces continue to operate 104 checkpoints on the Border with Northern Ireland and are providing a monitoring service at Dublin port.