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

The Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces contribute significantly to the security of our people abroad and I am certain this support will continue and potentially even broaden.

An Garda Síochána supported seven on-site mission security reviews in 2019 and three in early 2020, two in Africa. Members of the Defence Forces supported two complex projects at three missions over 2019.

I hope we can soon resume the cycle of monitoring to enhance the security of our network. The Defence Forces UN training school at the Curragh provides invaluable personal security training to around 100 members of my Department's staff going on posting each year. It is regarded by many as the high point of what is quite an arduous pre-posting training programme and really gives our diplomats pride in the history and capacity of our Defence Forces.

My Department co-operates under the emergency civil assistance team initiative, which provides support to our missions in consular emergencies and emergency planning as well as in the security of our missions. For operational reasons, I cannot disclose in detail the services and supports provided. Given his background and knowledge around security issues, the Deputy will understand that there will be appropriate occasions when we work with An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces and that there will sometimes be temporary use needed, whether it is for travel or for security or short-term security requirements where it is more appropriate to source local private security firms.

See this speech in context