Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 348: To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount spent by his Department with particular reference to Army costs in providing security at Shannon Airport in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 with respect to the airport being used by the US military; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11717/10]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, 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.

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.

These costs are met from within the Defence Vote.