Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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262. To ask the Minister for Defence if he can rely on a rapid response from the Defence Forces when called upon to assist the civil authorities in the event of a terrorist act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3264/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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263. To ask the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces are adequately equipped to respond to emergencies when called upon to assist the civil authorities in the event of emergencies such as recent flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3265/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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265. To ask the Minister for Defence the ability of the Defence Forces to make a rapid response to emergencies on land, on the coast and at sea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3267/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 262, 263 and 265 together.

It is my priority as Minister for Defence to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible.

The Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State and, in the event of a terrorist incident, it is An Garda Síochána who would be the first responders. Additionally, An Garda Síochána may request specific assistance from the Defence Forces in the context of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP). The Defence Forces retains a wide range of specialist skills which can be deployed in such circumstances and are specifically designed to counter or respond to possible security emergencies.

Both the Ordnance Corps and the Army Ranger Wing specialise in providing an immediate response to emergency incidents that might require their highly specialised capabilities.

The Ordnance Corps consists of a number of Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams which are on standby 24/7 to respond when a request for assistance is received from An Garda Síochána to deal with suspect devices.

The Army Ranger Wing is an integral unit of the Defence Forces whose roles include provision of specialist ATCP support to An Garda Síochána. The need for a high level of preparedness to deal with any requests for special forces operations is inherent in the unit’s mission. Members are trained to the highest levels of motivation, physical fitness and skill at arms for their specialist role. The ARW is on standby to be called upon to undertake duties in any part of the country.

In relation to non-security related emergencies, whilst the Defence Forces are not a Principal Response Agency as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) role.

The full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment, commensurate with operational requirements, is available for deployments in response to emergencies and natural disasters including flooding. In this regard, the Defence Forces hold a wide range of engineering and transport plant and equipment for military purposes.

All such plant and equipment suitable for use in emergency situations is made available as the need arises. In relation to the Naval Service, all vessels are multi-tasked in the sense that, in addition to their fishery protection role, they also undertake general surveillance, security, pollution monitoring, and Search and Rescue in support to the Irish Coast Guard, amongst other duties while on patrol. These activities assist in detecting and preventing emergency situations throughout Ireland’s maritime jurisdiction.

The role of the Air Corps includes the provision of an emergency inter-hospital Air Ambulance service in support of the HSE. It is also supporting the HSE in an emergency aeromedical support service operating primarily in the West of Ireland. The Air Corps also has a maritime surveillance function undertaken by its maritime patrol aircraft and both it and the Naval Service provide support to the Irish Coast Guard in maritime Search and Rescue operations.

I am satisfied that Defence Forces personnel have a modern and effective range of equipment, including telecommunications and logistical equipment, needed to fulfil all roles that are assigned to them by Government in any emergency situations that may arise.