asked the Minister for Defence the current demands on the Defence Forces in relation to Border duty. [17934/98]
Written Answers - Defence Forces Operations.
66
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:169 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the current demands on the Defence Forces in relation to Border duty. [18118/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 169 together.
The role of the Defence Forces in the Border area is to aid the civil power, which, in practice, means to assist the Garda Síochána at roadblocks, checkpoints and searches. Military personnel also assist the Garda Síochána in patrolling the road network around the Border area. The patrols are equipped with radio and can be diverted quickly to the scene of a Border incident. Stand-to parties are also kept in readiness at each post at all times. These are available to respond to requests for aid by the Garda and can be on their way to the scene of an incident without delay. In addition an Air Corps helicopter which provides aerial support, assistance and reconnaissance is stationed in the Border area.
Two bomb disposal teams (one at Finner Camp and one at Dundalk Barracks) and specialised search teams are also stationed in the Border area where they can provide a quick response in connection with bomb threats or the need for systematic searching of specific locations.
The demands on the Defence Forces in relation to Border duty depend on the nature of the requests for assistance received from the Garda Síochána at any particular time. Currently these requests include the provision of armed parties in aid to the civil power for the purpose of protecting Garda Síochána and the carrying out of such duties as vehicle checkpoints and mobile security patrols, specialist search team tasks and explosive ordnance disposal tasks.