Bernard J. Durkan
Question:142 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the future of the Permanent Defence Force in terms of training and equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19133/03]
Vol. 570 No. 3
142 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the future of the Permanent Defence Force in terms of training and equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19133/03]
The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 defines the roles of the Defence Forces as follows: to defend the State against armed aggression; this being a contingency, preparations for its implementation will depend on an ongoing Government assessment of threats; to aid the civil power, meaning 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; to participate in United Nations missions in the cause of international peace; to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Community; and to carry out such other duties as may be assigned to them from time to time, for example, search and rescue, air ambulance service, ministerial air transport service, assistance on the occasion of natural or other disasters, assistance in connection with the maintenance of essential services, dealing with oil pollution at sea.