Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Defence the number and type of operational activity for and to the civil power that the Air Corps was involved in for the months of October and November 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38155/05]

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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To aid the civil power — meaning in practice to assist, when requested, the Garda Siochána who have the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State — is among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces. In this regard, the Defence Forces assist the Garda as required in duties, which include cash escorts, prison escorts and explosives escorts.

Figures for November 2005 are not yet available. However, in the two month period September and October 2005 there were a total of 441 tasks carried out by the Defence Forces under aid to the civil power requests. The Air Corps assisted in 40 of these tasks. It is not the practice, for security reasons, to give details relating to these operations.

In addition, the Garda air support unit provides a 24-hour, all year immediate response capability for air support within the State. The Garda Síochána is responsible for the operational control and policing functions, while the Air Corps personnel have responsibility for the flying and maintenance functions of the service, with the exception of the EC 135 where the maintenance is contracted to a civilian contractor.