Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 489: To ask the Minister for Defence the security costs to his Department incurred in the prevention of incursions by anti-war activists at Shannon Airport in the years 2006, 2007 and 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22235/09]

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 aid to the civil power (meaning in practice to assist, when requested, an Garda Síochána), which duties include the protection and guarding of vital installations, the provision of certain security escorts etc.

The Gardaí, who undertake threat assessments for Shannon Airport on an ongoing basis, requested the Defence Forces to provide assistance in securing the Airport. Such assistance has been rendered by the Defence Forces since 5 February 2003, and liaison between the Gardaí and the Defence Forces in this regard is continuing. It would not be appropriate for me, for reasons of security, to indicate the number of Defence Forces personnel involved in such operations. However, the estimated costs to the Defence Forces for personnel on security duty at Shannon Airport for the years in question are outlined below. These costs are met from within the Defence Vote.

The following items are taken into consideration when calculating the costs involved in providing aid to the civil power at Shannon Airport i.e. Security Duty Allowance, rations and fuel. The following table sets out the amount of costs incurred for the period in question. The amount of costs incurred in 2006 take into account extra requirements for the visit of President George Bush in March and anti-war protests in October 2006.