Charles Flanagan
Ceist:43 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence the modifications or changes, if any, he envisages for the Army in Border areas consequent on the signing of the British-Irish Agreement. [26341/98]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Role.
Liz McManus
Ceist:45 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the views expressed by the Chief of Staff at the recent RACO conference that the Army's role as aid to the civil power was sapping morale; the plans, if any, he has to review this role, particularly in view of the changing situation in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26726/98]
Ulick Burke
Ceist:69 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Defence his views on the Chief of Staff's comments made at the recent RACO conference regarding Defence Forces' involvement with security duties and the need to review these with the Garda Síochána and the Prison Services. [26768/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 45 and 69 together.
The primary responsibility for internal security rests with the Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, assist the Garda as required. This entails assisting the gardaí at roadblocks, checkpoints and searches including in the Border area. The Defence Forces also assist the gardaí in relation to prisoner escorts, cash escorts and explosives escorts.
The demands on the Defence Forces in relation to Border duty depend on the nature of the requests for assistance received from the Garda at any particular time. Currently, these requests include the provision of armed parties in aid of the civil power for the purpose of protecting gardaí and the carrying out of such duties as vehicle checkpoints and mobile security patrols, specialist search team tasks and explosive ordnance disposal tasks. The Defence Forces continue to respond to requests from the gardaí in relation to Border security and other operations.
The comments made by the Chief of Staff at the recent RACO conference relating to the aid to the civil power role are, I believe, expressions of genuine concern regarding the need for a new training regime to update the skills of the members of the Permanent Defence Force to equip them for the range of tasks which they undertake. I am satisfied that the Defence Forces will continue to maintain ability to respond, at short notice, to any requests from the Garda for aid to the civil power.
The question of the level of demand on the Defence Forces in aid of the Garda in the Border area following on the British-Irish Agreement will be kept under review in my Department in consultation with the relevant Government Departments as well as with the Garda authorities.