Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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11. To ask the Minister for Defence his views regarding the number of occasions, and the cost thereof, on which Defence Forces personnel have been involved in aid to the civil power duties at Shannon in 2015. [6887/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, 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 (ATCP) which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so.

The Gardaí have requested ATCP support from the Defence Forces at Shannon since 2003. Up to 12th February 2015 there has been 47 deployments at a cost of €24,116, which includes Security Duty Allowance, rations and fuel.

The basis for such requests are an operational matter for An Garda Síochána. Accordingly, decisions to seek support from the Defence Forces are a matter for An Garda Síochána.