Written answers
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Department of Justice, Equality and Defence
Defence Forces Operations
9:00 pm
Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 487: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of occasions the Defence Forces explosive ordnance disposal team has been called out in the first quarter of 2011, as compared with the same period in 2010, per Garda region; the number of hoax calls and the number of controlled explosions carried out in both these periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9252/11]
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Set out in the accompanying table are details of the number of occasions that the Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams have been called out in the first quarters of 2010 and 2011. While details of the number of controlled explosions carried out are not available, details of the number of viable devices are included.
| YEAR | TOTAL NUMBER OF CALLOUTS | HOAXES (included in total) | VIABLE DEVICES(included in total) |
| 2010 (Jan to Mar) | 45 | 13 | 7 |
| 2011 (Jan to Mar) | 55 | 11 | 5 |
Although details of callouts are not recorded on the basis of Garda regions, the following tables contain a breakdown per each of the three Brigades of the Defence Forces and the Defence Forces Training Centre based on the Curragh. An EOD team is attached to each of the three Brigades and at the Training Centre.
| 2010 | 1 SOUTHERN BRIGADE | 2 EASTERN BRIGADE | 4 WESTERN BRIGADE | DFTC |
| JAN | 5 | 8 | 1 | 3 |
| FEB | 3 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| MAR | 4 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 SOUTHERN BRIGADE | 2 EASTERNBRIGADE | 4 WESTERNBRIGADE | DFTC |
| JAN | 4 | 12 | 3 | 3 |
| FEB | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| MAR | 4 | 13 | 2 | 1 |
In spite of a substantial increase in recent years in the number of callouts to deal with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have the necessary resources and capabilities to meet the current threat. The challenge of dealing with the increasing level of sophistication in the preparation of such devices is and will continue to be an integral part of the training that is provided to members of the Defence Forces who provide a unique response capability within the State to deal with such incidents.
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