Vol. 545 No. 4
33 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence if a request has been made to him by the Garda Síochána for additional assistance to protect the movement of cash during the period of the euro changeover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30858/01]
The roles of the Defence Forces as assigned by the Government are set out in the White Paper on Defence, which was published in February 2000. Among the assigned roles is aiding the civil power, which means in practice to assist, when requested, the Garda Síochána which has primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, assist the Garda as required in duties which include cash escorts.
The Defence Forces have been requested by the Garda to provide assistance in securing cash in transit as part of the euro changeover. Such assistance has been rendered by the Defence Forces since 30 October and liaison between the Garda and the Defence Forces in this regard is continuing. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me for reasons of security to indicate details of the nature or level of such assistance.
I am not sure of the exact number, but there have been many thefts of cash in transit this year. There may have been as many as 30 such incidents, but the Minister may have the exact number. Does he agree it is important, particularly in the next couple of months, that the presence of the military is maximised on such operations? It is important that every possible assistance is given. Will the banks make an additional payment over and above what they make to the Department of Defence or the Department of Finance in respect to the assistance they receive on these cash movements?
A decision was made some years ago for the banks to pay £3 million a year for the services which are provided both by the Garda and the Defence Forces. That £3 million is divided as follows: £2.25 million to the Defence Forces and £0.75 million to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for the Garda activities. That amount does not include all of the costs associated with these transactions and needless to say it may well be time to see to what extent it can be increased. However, there is no question of the Defence Forces not meeting any requests made by the Garda authorities to support their efforts in the movement of cash and that has always been the case.
Given that the Minister has always been willing to meet the demands of the Garda Síochána, would he agree that, while it is not his area as such, perhaps he should talk to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform with a view to increasing the commitment from the military in view of the fact that so many of these vehicles have been robbed during the past year?
As the Deputy will be aware, this is an area which is primarily for the Garda Commissioner. We will meet any legitimate requests made in that regard.
