Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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317. To ask the Minister for Defence the correspondence or communications received in his Department in 2011 or 2012 from the Office of the Taoiseach, or from the Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, in relation to dispatching members of the army to protect ATMs or banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39394/15]

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.