Written answers

Tuesday, 12 October 2004

9:00 pm

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Defence the total costs to his Department arising from the visit of US President, Mr. George W. Bush, in June 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24197/04]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Síochána has the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid to the civil power, meaning in practice to assist the Garda Síochána, when requested, which duties include the protection and guarding of vital installations, the provision of certain security escorts and so forth. The Garda requested the support of the Defence Forces for the visit last June of the US President during the US-EU summit. I am advised that approximately 2,262 members of the Permanent Defence Force were deployed on security duties in connection with the visit.

The total additional costs incurred by the Defence Forces in the provision of assistance to the Garda Síochána on 25 and 26 June 2004 amounted to approximately €448,000. A breakdown of these costs is as follows.

The additional cost of the Army's involvement in the visit amounted to €380,000, which comprised €347,000 for security duty allowance, subsistence, food and fuel; €24,000 for the purchase of equipment, including fire fighting and catering equipment and electrical materials; and €9,000 for hire of equipment, including ancillary support equipment such as generators, toilets and refrigeration units. The additional cost incurred by the Naval Service amounted to €7,000, which comprised mainly security duty allowance. Additional costs incurred by the Air Corps came to €61,000, which included security allowances, subsistence and food.

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