Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2010
63 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Defence the number of occasions on which the Army Ordnance Corps has been called out to deal with suspicious devices during 2009 and to date in 2010; the number of cases which were actual explosive devices; the number of occasions on which these devices were hoaxes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15619/10]
View answerThe primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests with an Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, assist the Gardaí as required. Requests for aid to the civil power are normally made by a member of an Garda Síochána not below the rank of Inspector. Requests made by an Garda Síochána for assistance in dealing with a suspect device or for the removal of old ordnance are responded to by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team in the relevant Brigade. The number of call outs made by EOD teams in 2009 was 196. This figure includes 84 hoaxes. The total number of call outs from 1 January 2010 to 17 April 2010 is 52. This figure includes 13 hoaxes.
64 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Defence if his Department has completed its calculation as to the amount owned by banks in respect of the provision of cash escorts in 2009; the sum owed; if that sum has been paid; if not, the deadline by which the payment must be received, the amounts owed per bank; the banks who have paid and the banks who have not paid to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15635/10]
View answer72 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Defence if agreement has been reached with An Post and other organisations regarding payment for security services on the same basis as the commercial banks. [15609/10]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 72 together.
The formal five-year agreement made between the IBF, its member Banks and the Department of Defence which was signed by the Minister for Defence in 2005, provides that the banks pay the total actual costs incurred by the Defence Forces in the provision of cash escorts. Costs in respect of each 12-month period to end-December are paid the following year on or before the 1st June. This is to allow for the compilation of returns from the brigades and allocation of costs following the year-end.
The calculations are being finalised by the Department at the moment. The IBF will be notified of the total due within the next couple of weeks. Payment of the amount due is made through the IBF on behalf of the member banks. I do not have details of the contribution made by each bank. This is a matter for the IBF who co-ordinate the payment.
The existing agreement with banks was for an initial five-year period. Officials in the Department will shortly begin negotiations with the IBF on a new agreement. In the policy changes outlined in the Budget for 2010, it was indicated that Appropriations-in-Aid will be increased, including through charging of An Post, the Central Bank and other organisations for services on the same basis as the banks. The Central Bank has agreed to pay for costs incurred by the Defence Forces in providing security services. Similar to the agreement with the banks, the amount due in respect of 2009 will be paid on or before 1st June 2010.
Officials from the Department met recently with officials from An Post. An Post has sought clarification on some issues, in particular the number and location of post offices covered by the service provided by the Defence Forces. Further discussions with an Post will take place when these matters have been clarified. Discussions with another commercial organisation are at an early stage. There has been some initial correspondence which is receiving consideration within the Department. It is planned to follow up with a meeting of the relevant parties so as to progress the matter.
