Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2004
99 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Defence the number of Border operations undertaken by the Defence Forces; if there are plans to reduce the number of troops stationed close to the Border with Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28777/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, assist the gardaí as required. Defence Forces Border operations are undertaken as aid to civil power, ATCP, requests. 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 gardaí at any particular time. Since the Good Friday Agreement, the level of demand for Defence Forces assistance to the gardaí in the Border area has reduced significantly. During 2003, there were 12 explosive ordnance device, EOD, callouts and four further occasions where the gardaí requested Defence Forces assistance. The question of the level of demand on the Defence Forces in aid of the gardaí in the Border area will be kept under review in my Department in consultation with the relevant Departments as well as with the Garda authorities. There are no plans at present to reduce the number of Defence Forces personnel stationed in posts in the Border area.
