Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has responsibility for the use of Shannon Airport by foreign military aircraft and for the granting of permission for overflights by foreign military aircraft. The Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State.

Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of aid to the civil power which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. The decision to seek support from the Defence Forces is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána. Security assessments are carried out by An Garda Síochána, which determines if Defence Force assistance is required. The number of times the Defence Forces have been called on to perform aid to the civil power duties at Shannon Airport to date in 2017 is 167. For security reasons it would not be appropriate to disclose the precise detail of such deployments. Since 5 February 2003, An Garda Síochána has requested support from the Defence Forces at Shannon Airport on occasion.

I have no plans to make changes to the current aid to the civil power arrangements as set out in the White Paper on Defence. I am satisfied that there is ongoing and close liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces, and between my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality regarding security matters generally, including the Defence Forces aid to the civil power roles.

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