Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 July 2004
169 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the number of soldiers which were deployed in respect of the May Day weekend in 2004; and the estimate, followed by final figures giving a detailed breakdown, of the costs incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20791/04]
View answerThe roles of the Defence Forces as assigned by Government are set out in the White Paper on Defence, which was published in February 2000. To aid the civil power, which means in practice to assist, when requested, the Garda Síochána which has the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State, is among the assigned roles. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, assisted the gardaí as required in duties, which included the security operation surrounding the ceremonies marking the accession of new member states to the EU on 1 May 2004.
I am advised that over 2,500 personnel were deployed in various roles in connection with the security operation. In addition, the Naval Service was on patrol in the Irish Sea and the Air Corps provided air traffic control capability and support to operations both at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel and in the Phoenix Park. The additional costs incurred by the Defence Forces in the provision of assistance to the Garda Síochána on 1 May amounted to approximately €872,650. A breakdown of these costs is shown on the attached schedule.
|
Cost |
|
|
€ |
|
|
Security Duty Allowance and Overtime |
506,780 |
|
Rations |
62,120 |
|
Fuel |
44,350 |
|
Tech Stores Supplies and Equipment Hire* |
259,400 |
|
Total |
872,650 |
