Written answers

Thursday, 21 October 2010

Department of Defence

Naval Service Operations

5:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 217: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to increase the strength of Naval and Air Corps Services involved in coastal surveillance with particular reference to the prevention of people and drug trafficking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38393/10]

Photo of Tony KilleenTony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners. Responsibility for the prevention of crime, including people trafficking, rests primarily with An Garda Síochána.

However, the White Paper on Defence provides for a security role for the Naval Service and Air Corps to assist and support the civil authorities in this important work. All eight Naval Service patrol vessels are involved in coastal and offshore patrolling and surveillance for the State in that part of the seas where State jurisdiction applies. The Naval Service is committed to having at least three vessels on patrol within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone at any one time, and all vessels are multi-tasked in that they undertake general surveillance security and other duties while conducting their primary day-to-day tasking of providing a fishery protection service. Naval Service patrols are complemented by assistance provided by the Air Corps. The Air Corps Maritime Squadron carries out aerial surveillance of our Exclusive Economic Zone using the two CASA maritime patrol aircraft.

I am advised by the Military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 30 September 2010, the latest date for which figures are currently available, was 9,625 comprising 7,845 Army, 776 Air Corps and 1,004 Naval Service personnel. Targeted recruitment is being carried out in 2010 in order to maintain the operational capability of the Defence Forces, and while it is not possible to anticipate strength figures for 2011, I can confirm that with the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, I intend to retain the capacity of the organisation to operate effectively across all its roles, including in relation to the support provided by the Naval Service and Air Corps in the prevention of drug and people trafficking through coastal surveillance.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.