The Garda Síochána has the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid to the civil power — meaning in practice to assist, when requested, the Garda Síochána — which duties include the protection and guarding of vital installations, the provision of certain security escorts etc.
The Garda requested the support of the Defence Forces for the visit last June of the US President during the US-EU Summit. I am advised that approximately 2,262 members of the Permanent Defence Force were deployed on security duties in connection with the visit.
The additional costs incurred by the Defence Forces in the provision of assistance to the Garda Síochána on 25 and 26 June 2004 amounted to approximately €448,000. A breakdown of these costs is shown on the attached schedule.