Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The historical connection is that there was a link between the Department of the Taoiseach and the Defence Forces. The responsibility rests with the Minister of State. As far as this connection to civil defence is concerned, the President has a key role as the Taoiseach meets the President monthly.

I believe that the Civil Defence probably would have been abolished 20 or 30 years ago, had it not been for this link. In more difficult financial times, there was always a temptation to assert there were savings to be made on the Civil Defence. This was always resisted by the Department of the Taoiseach in various battles on expenditure with the Department of Finance in the 1970s and 1980s. It is a good connection and a useful link. Moreover, the Minister of State can remained involved in this respect and can act in place of the Minister for Defence when he is unavailable or abroad.

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