Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 October 2008
34 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Defence the number of occasions during 2006, 2007 and to date in 2008, on which the Army bomb squad has been called out to deal with suspected explosive devices; the number of instances in each year in which the devices were hoaxes and authentic explosive devices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35886/08]
Amharc ar fhreagra61 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Defence the number of times the Army bomb disposal team has been called out in 2007 and to date in 2008; the procedures in place for deciding to call them out; the number of hoaxes they have had to deal with since January 2007; the estimated average costs involved each time they are deployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35124/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 61 together.
The primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests with An Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, assist the Gardaí as required. Requests for aid to the civil power are normally made by a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of Inspector.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team respond when a request is made by An Garda Síochána, to the relevant Brigade, for assistance in dealing with a suspect device or for the removal of old ordnance.
Information on the number of callouts in 2006, 2007 and 2008 (to date) are set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Total Number of Callouts |
Number of Hoaxes (included in total) |
|
2006 |
101 |
8 |
|
2007 |
98 |
11 |
|
2008 (as of 16 Oct’08) |
143 |
51 |
An EOD team normally consists of the following configuration: one officer, one NCO and one driver. The cost of each individual callout is not recorded separately but costs would include: the salary and allowances of the team, fuel for the distance travelled by the vehicle to and from the location of the incident and any ordnance used to dispose of the device.
