Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2013
758. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he will cite the provisions of the Defence Acts by which the Defence Forces are deployed in aid of the civil authority; if he will specify the distinction, if any, between civil authority and the civil power; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27270/13]
View answerThe involvement of the Defence Forces in responding to emergencies or security issues arises from requests for assistance from An Garda Síochána in an Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) role or from other agencies of the State in an Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) role. In relation to security, primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests with An Garda Síochána. However, one of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence (2000) is to provide ATCP which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. A wide variety of military training activities are specifically designed to counter or respond to possible security emergencies and the Defence Forces hold regular coordination and liaison meetings with An Garda Síochána in relation to ATCP issues. The basis for the provision for ATCA is the Government approval of the Framework for Major Emergency Management which sets out the structure for enabling the Principal Response Agencies (An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and Local Authorities) to prepare for, and make a coordinated response to, major emergencies and the Defence Forces respond within that Framework. Representation on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, by both my Department and the Defence Forces, also ensures the fullest coordination and cooperation in the event of an emergency.
