Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To give her an idea of the number of aid to the civil power duties, the numbers in 2012, 2011 and 2010 were 381, 327 and 293, respectively. The number of occasions on which the Defence Forces have been called on to aid the civil power has increased in recent years, at a cost of €250,000 per year to the taxpayer. However, the number of munitions of war civilian flights landing at Shannon Airport fell significantly from 1,149 in 2011 to 349 last year. While the number of military flights at Shannon Report has fallen by more than two thirds in two years, the number of protests and incidents requiring the Defence Forces to be called has increased. There is a story to be told in that regard. I hope the Deputy will agree with me and state in this House that while all Members respect and recognise the right of people to engage in peaceful protest, no one should risk his or her life or the lives of others in engaging in incursions on the runway.

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