Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 December 2014
110. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if there is a record in his Department of being briefed by the Central Bank of Ireland regarding contingency plans providing for the Army to surround banks here because of a risk the banks would run out of money; if the appropriate operational arrangements were in place in the event the situation ever arose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46677/14]
View answerPrimary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State, 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 Aid to the Civil Power (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 respond to possible security emergencies that may arise and the Defence Forces hold regular co-ordination and liaison meetings with An Garda Síochána in relation to ATCP issues. The Defence Forces are similarly prepared to carry out any security-related tasks, as may be directed by Government. For operational and security reasons, my Department does not comment on contingency planning for operational matters .
