Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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314. To ask the Minister for Defence if his Department received any request in 2011 from any other Department for the Defence Forces to be stationed at bank ATMs; and if his Department has created any operational plans for the stationing of the Defence Forces at these machines since this current Government took office. [39230/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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.