Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 January 2015
13. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence the number of occasions and cost of Defence Forces personnel being involved in aid to the civil power, ATCP, duties at Shannon airport in 2014; his plans to change same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1207/15]
View answerAn 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 2003, the Gardaí have requested support from the Defence Forces at Shannon Airport and in 2014 there were a total of 372 such deployments. The costs of these operations, which include Security Duty Allowance, rations and fuel were €180,913 in 2014.
I am satisfied with existing arrangements and I have no plans to recommend any changes.
