Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2016
586. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the purpose of the recent exercises in the Irish Sea conducted by the Defence Forces Special Operations Task Group; if this was a regular exercise or was it linked to ongoing anti-terror training; if other anti-terror exercises have recently taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17295/16]
View answerThe Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State and, in the event of a terrorist incident, it is An Garda Síochána who would be the first responders. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to provide assistance and support to An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. There is ongoing and close liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces regarding security matters, including ATCP deployments and a wide variety of military training activities are specifically designed to counter or respond to possible security emergencies. Regular coordination and liaison meetings also take place between the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána in relation to ATCP issues.
When not engaged in actual operations, the Defence Forces conduct regular exercises. In this regard, on the 18th of May 2016, Exercise Poseidon was commenced. The purpose of the exercise was to enhance military capability and particularly joint operations involving all three services (Army, Air Corps, Navy). This is a regular exercise which is generally conducted every two years. The exercise was not linked to any known terror threat.
For security and operational reasons it would not be appropriate to comment further.
