Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 80: To ask the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that the military police detachment force responsible for the security of Leinster House and Government Buildings is of sufficient strength to adequately police and secure both buildings in the event of serious riots and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2140/10]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is a long standing arrangement for the presence of a Military Police detachment at Leinster House and Government Buildings for security duties and fire patrols. A duty officer is on site on a twenty-four hour basis. These duties are performed in liaison with the Superintendent of the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Additional Defence Forces personnel were deployed to the Houses of Oireachtas for critical support services on the day of industrial action by public service unions last November.

The Military Police detachment is not tasked with riot control. 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 in a range of duties, which include the provision of troops for cash escorts, prison escorts and the provision of military guards at a number of vital installations. As part of the Aid to the Civil Power role, the Defence Forces maintain an anti-riot capability in order to meet a contingent and operational capability at home and overseas respectively.

The Defence Forces Annual Training Plan provides for training in a broad spectrum of such Aid to the Civil Power related activities. This training plan also includes riot control training and the maintenance of stand-to parties for the purpose of rendering assistance to the Gardaí, if such assistance is sought.