Vol. 524 No. 5
112 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Defence if he will review the necessity for the Army to provide manpower for cash escort duties; his views on whether these duties should be provided by the Garda authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22952/00]
147 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Defence the overall cost of providing cash escort duties to the banking institutions for 1999 and for the per iod from January 2000 to September 2000; and the amount reimbursed by the banking institutions for the provision of these services for these periods. [22951/00]
149 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Defence his views on the call made by the former Chief of Staff (details supplied) on his retirement that the Defence Forces could not continue to meet its commitment in regard to cash escorts and other duties in aid to the civil power without experiencing a reduction in military capacity; if there are plans to review these duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22979/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 147 and 149 together.
As I indicated to the House on 3 October 2000 the roles of the Defence Force as assigned by Government are set out in the White Paper on Defence which was published in February this year. To aid the civil power – meaning in practice to assist, when requested, the Garda Síochána who have the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State – is among the assigned roles.
As can be seen, the primary responsibility for internal security rests with An Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, assist the gardaí as required. This entails such duties as 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. No change in this role is envisaged. The question of the level of demand on the Defence Forces in aid of the Garda is kept under constant review in my Department in consultation with the relevant Government Departments as well as with the Garda authorities.
The total cost in respect of the provision by the Defence Forces of assistance to the Garda Síochána in protecting movements of cash in 1999, the latest full year for which figures are available, was £4.5 million approximately. In line with the Government decision imposing a charge on the banks, part of these costs are recouped. In 1999, £2.25 million was refunded by the banks to my Department.
