Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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139. To ask the Minister for Defence his views in relation to the number of occasions that members of the Defence Forces were deployed on aid to the civil power duties at Shannon Airport in 2015; the nature of the duties undertaken and the cost to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21353/15]

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.

Since 2003 Gardaí have requested security support from the Defence Forces at Shannon Airport. Up to 4 June 2015 there have been a total of 139 such deployments this year. The total cost of these operations to date in 2015, which comprises payment of Security Duty Allowance, provision of rations, and fuel costs is €72,692.