Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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499. To ask the Minister for Defence if his Department received any communications from the Department of the Taoiseach relating to the Defence Forces providing security around automated teller machines, ATMs, in 2012 or 2013. [38375/15]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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500. To ask the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces received any requests to provide aid to the civil power in respect of providing security around automatic teller machines, ATMs, in 2012 or 2013. [38376/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 499 and 500 together.

The Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so.

Notwithstanding the discussions that were taking place and contingency planning underway, my Department received no formal communications in relation to this matter as the question of provision of security assistance did not arise. I understand that contingency plans which were being considered could have involved deployment of the Defence Forces.

On an ongoing basis, the Defence Forces conduct a wide range of training activities designed to respond to possible security emergencies that may arise. In this context, the Defence Forces are prepared to carry out any security related tasks, as may be directed by Government.