Defence Forces Operations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018

Tuesday, 17 April 2018

Questions (151)

Jack Chambers

Question:

151. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the prisoner escort operations involving the Defence Forces in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15972/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

Primary responsibility for security matters and the internal security of the State rests with the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána.

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.

The number of prisoner escort operations in which the Defence Forces were deployed in an ATCP role are 120 in 2016, 159 in 2017 and 27 to date in 2018.