Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Defence the role the Defence Forces have played in the operation of prisons since 1970, to include aid to civil power assistance and for operational and administrative responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2759/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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An Garda Síochána have 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 the aid to the civil power (meaning in practice to assist, when requested, an Garda Síochána). Duties include the protection and guarding of vital installations, and the provision of certain security escorts.

In this context, the Defence Forces have deployed soldiers to Portlaoise Prison for security reasons since 1973. A similar arrangement was in place at Limerick Prison from 1974 until 1992.

The Defence Forces also provide armed assistance to Prison Service staff whenever high security prisoners are being transferred outside the confines of the Prison, for example hospital or court escorts.

Over the years in times of industrial disputes the Defence Forces have been required to provide assistance to the Prison Service. Such an occasion was a three week period in 1987 in Cork Prison to cover a prison officers strike. The Army Medical Corps also provided personnel in the operation of medical facilities and services to the prison service during an industrial dispute by the prison doctors from June to August 2004. The Medical Officers were deployed to three prisons, Mountjoy, Cloverhill and Portlaoise, to provide medical services on a daily basis during normal working hours.