Written Answers. - Foot and Mouth Disease.
Jack Wall
Ceist:
49
Mr. Wall
asked the
Minister for Defence
the number of occasions on which the Defence Forces have provided assistance to the gardaí in relation to patrols or checkpoints arising from the foot and mouth scare; the number of personnel hours involved; if financial or other provision will be made for personnel to acknowledge their contribution in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8996/01]
Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith): Since 23 February 2001, the Defence Forces are rendering assistance to the gardaí and to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development arising from the foot and mouth crisis as follows. From 23 February 2001 to 2 March 2001, as a result of a request from the Gardaí, the Defence Forces provided nine mobile patrols, each of which had a strength of one NCO and three privates on a 24 hour basis on the Border.
From 2 March 2001 to date, as a result of a request from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, the Defence Forces, in conjunction with the gardaí, are manning 104 checkpoints on the Border. These checkpoints are manned by the Defence Forces from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. with up to 200 personnel involved each day.
From 22 March 2001 to date, as a result of a request from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, the Defence Forces are providing a monitoring service at Dublin Port. The service consists of monitoring ships' waste and escorting it to a dump, two personnel from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and briefing ships' captains, providing them with disinfectant and mats on the arrival of their ships in ports, two personnel on a 24 hour basis.
At 11.50 p.m. on 22 March 2001 a request was received from the gardaí for Defence Forces assistance in operating an additional 34 checkpoints on the County Louth border with County Monaghan and County Meath. These checkpoints also operate between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. each day. First Southern Brigade were ordered to send First Infantry Company and Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh, were ordered to send First Platoon from the First Air Defence Regiment to assist Second Eastern Brigade in mounting this operation. The first 20 of these checkpoints were put in place at 11 p.m. on 23 March 2001. Seven Mobile Patrols, each consisting of two personnel, also operate in conjunction with these checkpoints. The remaining 14 checkpoints were put in place at 8 p.m. on 24 March 2001. There are up to 60 personnel involved each day on this commitment.
The Permanent Defence Forces Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA, has recently submitted a claim on behalf of members of the Defence Forces who have been engaged in additional duties arising out of the foot and mouth disease scare and this claim is being processed through the conciliation and arbitration scheme. By agreement with the association, discussions under the scheme are confidential to the parties involved. Accordingly, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this issue at present, other than to say that I am hopeful of an early resolution.
