Peter Kelly (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of call outs made by the Army bomb disposal teams to date in 2009 on a county basis; the number of these call outs which turned out to be in response to hoax calls; the estimated average cost of each call out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34740/09]

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 Garda 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.

The number of call outs made by EOD teams on a county basis for the period 1 January 2009 to 1 October 2009 is as follows:

The cost of each individual callout is not recorded separately however costs include: the salary and allowances of the team (i.e. one officer, one NCO and one driver), fuel for the distance travelled by the vehicle to and from the location of the incident and any ordnance used to dispose of the device.