Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

75. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost to date in 2018 to the Defence Forces of all foreign military aircraft landings here by location and number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48212/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The only costs accrued to the Defence Forces in relation to foreign military aircraft landings are when they assist An Garda Síochána in their Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) role in Shannon Airport. Since 5 February 2003, the Gardaí have requested support from the Defence Forces at Shannon Airport on occasion. The cost of the presence of Defence Forces at Shannon Airport performing ATCP duties with regard to all military aircraft landing at Shannon Airport in 2018, up to 14 November 2018, is €165,157.74 for 270 deployments. For security reasons it would not be appropriate to disclose the details regarding the number of personnel assigned to each deployment.

These costs relate to security duty allowance paid to members of the Defence Forces, rations and fuel. The cost of ATCP operations are met entirely from the Defence Vote.

I am satisfied that there is ongoing and close liaison between both An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces, and between my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality regarding security matters generally, including the Defence Forces ATCP roles.