I propose to take Questions Nos. 655 and 656 together.
Primary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence (2015) is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to provide assistance and support to An Garda Síochána when requested to do so.
The security environment is kept under constant review including the threat from international terrorism. On-going coordination and liaison meetings take place between the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána and, based on on-going threat assessments, the Gardaí and the Defence Forces liaise with regard to possible Defence Forces supports required for a range of contingencies. An Garda Síochána can request a broad range of supports from the Defence Forces including the Army Ranger Wing and in this context the Army Ranger Wing are trained and equipped to undertake a range of specialist roles.
Details with regard to the precise training of the ARW are not released into the public domain for security and operational reasons.
The White Paper on Defence sets out the capability agenda for the Defence Forces for the next decade. It contains a commitment to further enhance the capabilities of the ARW. Work to identify a range of options in this regard is ongoing as part of the implementation of the White Paper.