Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The State ceremonies in which the Defence Forces have participated in the current year to date include the Easter Sunday commemorative event, the 1916 Arbour Hill commemoration ceremony, the national day of commemoration, the national Famine memorial day, presentation of credentials to the President, state visits by prime ministers and foreign Heads of State and state visits by the President, both inward and outward.

Participation of Defence Forces personnel at the annual commemorative events and in their role in support of the President are a small but important part of the duties of the Defence Forces. As the personnel are drawn from the cadre of the Defence Forces, no additional costs arise which would not otherwise be incurred in the normal course with the exception of the transportation of troops to the ceremonial location. The costs of such transportation are not compiled separately by my Department.

The support given to the President in respect of the programme of state travel, both visits abroad and incoming, and the acceptance of the credentials of ambassadors to Ireland is a matter for the Government. The President acts in these matters on the advice of the Government and the arrangements are made by the Government in accordance with the generally accepted international practice.

On the other hand, preparation for annual commemorative events involves liaison with a variety of Departments, State bodies and individual organisations. The level of support provided by the Defence Forces is determined by the nature of the event. Discussions have already begun between officials in my Department, the Defence Forces and officials from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs on the national Famine memorial day which is to be held in Mayo next May. Officials from my Department and Defence Forces personnel are represented on the interdepartmental committee which organises the annual Easter Sunday event that commemorates the 1916 Rising. Detailed planning for this event usually starts early in the first quarter of each year.

Planned expenditure levels for my Department will be considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010. The scale and level of participation at each ceremonial event will be determined by the availability of resources. However, I do not envisage any change in the existing arrangements.

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