Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel engaged in operational duties relating to the Border each year for the past ten years. [31950/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The primary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, assist the Garda as required. Defence Forces Border operations are undertaken as aid to civil power, ATCP, requests. The Defence Forces also assist the Garda in relation to prisoner escorts, cash escorts and explosives escorts.

The Defence Forces have three infantry battalions and a cavalry squadron tasked with Border security. They receive direct support from explosive ordnance disposal teams and air support from the Air Corps. These units are based in barracks and military posts in Counties Donegal, Longford, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth.

The demands on the Defence Forces in relation to Border duty depend on the nature of the requests for assistance received from the Garda at any particular time. These requests include the provision of armed parties for the purpose of protecting gardaí and the carrying out of duties such as vehicle checkpoints, mobile patrols, specialist search team tasks and explosive ordnance disposal, EOD, tasks. Last year there were 15 requests for EOD assistance and one request for assistance from an engineer specialist search team. During 2003 there were 12 requests for EOD assistance and four further occasions where the Garda requested Defence Forces assistance.

Since the Good Friday Agreement, the level of demand for Defence Forces assistance to the Garda in the Border area has reduced significantly and will be kept under review in my Department in consultation with the relevant Departments as well as with the Garda authorities.