Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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105. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the activities members of the Defence Forces were directed to undertake during the Papal visit; and the overtime payments made to them for work undertaken out-of-hours. [37648/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, 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. On foot of a request for ATCP assistance from An Garda Síochána, Defence Forces personnel were tasked with a number of activities during the Papal visit.

The activities completed by Defence Forces personnel ranged from conventional military tasks such as armed security cordons with surveillance equipment and engineer specialist search teams to assisting with the movement of patrons during events.

Unlike other areas of the Public Service and due to the nature of the duties performed, overtime is not available to members of the Defence Forces. In its place a Military Service Allowance (MSA) is paid to all ranks up to the level of Colonel. Military Service Allowance is designed to compensate for the special conditions associated with military life. These include unsocial hours of duty, exposure to danger, and the restrictions inherent in military discipline. For Privates, Corporals and Sergeants with more 3 years in service, MSA is worth €115.43 per week, per person. For Senior NCOs the rate is €122.87 per week.

In line with any other occasion when the Defence Forces are requested to operate in an Aid to the Civil Power, Defence Force members on duty in support of An Garda Síochána during the Papal visit will receive Security Duty Allowance (SDA). The current rates of SDA is €23.81 for each day on duty for less than 24 hours. The rate is increased to €47.59 for a 24 hour duty. Security Duty allowance is paid to all enlisted personnel and to officers up to and including the rank of Commandant.

The assistance provided by the Defence Forces for the duration of the Papal visit is greatly appreciated and acknowledged by myself and my colleagues in Government.