Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Defence if he or the military authorities have received a request from the Gardaí for the possible use of army personnel to assist in combating serious armed crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27732/07]

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests with the Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, assist the Gardaí as required. Requests for aid to the civil power are normally made by a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of Inspector.

At present, the Defence Forces assist the Gardaí as required in duties, which include the provision of troops for cash escorts, prison escorts, hospital guards for high-risk prisoners and the provision of military guards at a number of vital installations. The Air Corps supports An Garda Síochána in the operation of two helicopters and a fixed wing aircraft which form the Garda Air Support Unit. The role of the Naval Service in the provision of aid to the Civil Power is primarily exercised through the Joint Task Force on Drugs. The Task Force enhances co-operation between An Garda Síochána, Revenue Commissioners and the Naval Service in enforcing the law in relation to drug trafficking.

The military authorities have not received a specific request for assistance from An Garda Síochána in relation to armed crime.