Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 2

Written Answers - Border Patrols.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

150 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence if he will have discussions with Army chiefs regarding the obligation on serving members of the armed forces who are conducting duties on the Border in relation to foot and mouth disease which prevents them from returning home during the 36 hour periods after their shift of duty concludes; and his views on whether it is unfair that members of the local barracks can return home whereas a service man drawn in from further afield is prevented from returning home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12461/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith):

The military authorities advise that personnel serving in units based in Dublin who are attached to Border units, in relation to the ongoing foot and mouth operation, are so attached for periods of one week only. The movement of personnel is necessarily kept to the minimum in order to prevent any possible spread to infection and also to rationalise the amount of transport travelling to and from Border posts.