Paul Murphy
Question:362. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the plans for the use of the Defence Forces in serious industrial relations conflicts or other social conflicts. [1232/15]
View answerWednesday, 14 January 2015
Questions (362)
Written answers
The White Paper on Defence (2000) sets out the roles the Defence Forces might play in the provision of support and services in both Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP), which in practice means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so, and in the provision of assistance to the Civil Authorities in a range of emergency situations. In relation to its Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) role, the position is that whilst the Defence Forces are not a Principal Response Agency, as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they may be asked to provide assistance by the appropriate Lead Department, under the multi-agency Framework, in a wide range of emergency situations which could include disruptive industrial action. At National level, representation on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, by both my Department and the Defence Forces, ensures the fullest coordination and cooperation in the event of an emergency. The capacity of the Defence Forces to provide ATCA support in emergency situations is kept under constant review and plans and procedures are updated as necessary.
Primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State, rests with An Garda Síochána. A wide variety of military training activities are specifically designed to respond to ATCP requests and the Defence Forces hold regular coordination and liaison meetings with An Garda Síochána in relation to these matters.