Defence Forces Deployment

Thursday, 6 February 2014

Questions (30)

Clare Daly

Question:

30. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel that were involved in aid to the civil power security duties at Shannon Airport from 2010 to 2013 and the dates on which they were involved. [5578/14]

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Written answers

Minister for Defence

An Garda Síochána has the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. Since 5 February, 2003, the Gardaí have requested support from the Defence Forces at Shannon Airport on occasion. The number of occasions in the past four years when the Defence Forces have been requested to assist the Gardaí at Shannon is as follows:

Year	No. of ATCP Dutiesat Shannon Airport
2010	293
2011	327
2012	381
2013	324

Further details in relation to these duties cannot be disclosed for operational and security reasons.