Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We need to try to have a calm response to these things. I will not answer on behalf of An Garda Síochána, which is under the political responsibility of a different Minister. Our role, in the Defence Forces, is to respond to specific tasks when asked for assistance by An Garda Síochána. We then manage and operationally take control of these tasks through a senior officer in the performing of those tasks. It is no more complicated than that.

There are broader issues and I know Deputy Wallace has a strong difference of opinion with me and with the Department on these issues. However, they are separate issues. My responsibility, as Minister for Defence, is to account for the actions of the Permanent Defence Force when it is operationally asked to perform certain tasks by An Garda Síochána, which it does very professionally.

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