Vol. 398 No. 4
49 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Defence if any payment is made by financial institutions to the State towards the cost of protection by Defence Forces personnel of cash in transit; and the latest figures available regarding the cost of providing cover for such protection.
The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, give assistance to the Garda Síochána in protecting movements of cash. The question of the recovery of costs is not a matter for my Department.
The additional cost excluding pay in respect of the Defence Forces of providing such assistance for the year ended 31 December 1989 was £1.4 million approximately.
A Cheann Comhairle, would you allow a brief supplementary?
Certainly Deputy. Deputies McCartan and Ryan are offering on the last question.
Has the Minister a view on the propriety of seeking the recovery of costs from the financial institutions, on whose behalf the cash is protected in transit, considering that these institutions have huge resources and would be in a position to disburse moneys to his Department or to the Garda Síochána for the services rendered?
This matter has been considered from time to time by the Department of Finance and the banks.
Does the Minister have a view on the matter?
It is not really a matter for me to have a view on.
It calls for the deployment of the resources and members of the Defence Forces and the Minister must have a view on that.
It is a matter of cost and who bears that cost.
Let us proceed by way of question.
While it may not be within the area of the Minister for Defence, given the massive profits earned by the financial institutions I believe they should be asked to make a contribution to the cost of protecting moneys in transit, especially when one considers the salaries of the people who are employed to protect it.
This matter can always be raised with them. I understand the point the Deputy is raising but it is not really relevant to the question being asked.
