Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of occasions during 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009, on which the Army bomb squad has been called out to deal with suspected explosive devices; the number of instances in each year in which the devices were hoaxes or authentic explosive devices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3506/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests with an 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 an Garda Síochána not below the rank of Inspector.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team respond when a request is made by an Garda Síochána, to the relevant Brigade, for assistance in dealing with a suspect device or for the removal of old ordnance.

Information on the number of callouts in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 (to date) is set out in the following table.