Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Defence the cost of providing security by the Defence Forces to Shannon Airport for 2003 to 2012 on a year by year basis and the money recouped by the State from Shannon Airport or others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12748/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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An Garda Síochána has 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. 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 table below sets out the amount of costs incurred for the period in question.

These costs are met from within the Defence Vote.