Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 May 2026
69. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Defence to provide an update on her Department’s policy regarding the deployment of the Defence Forces to intervene in peaceful protest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28428/26]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it affords me an opportunity to address much commentary made recently in relation to the nature of requests made by An Garda Síochána for assistance from the Defence Forces.
At the outset, it is important to note that An Garda Síochána request assistance from the Defence Forces on a frequent basis. This is a standing operating procedure. This assistance can cover a wide range of activities and generally relates to incidents where An Garda Síochána do not have the immediate capabilities available to them. This has been a long standing practice and its value and importance was recognised in Report on the Commission of Defence Force. It would be remiss of me to not point out that the Defence Forces also provide assistance to a wide range of State actors. This is a tradition which we should be proud of.
I also want to take this opportunity to clarify the type of assistance sought and provided by the Defence Forces during the protests. The Defence Forces possess specialised vehicles with towing capabilities and over the course of the protests, two specialised vehicles were deployed by the Defence Forces. This should not be conflated or confused with the deployment of Defence Forces personnel.
I can assure the Deputy that there is on-going and continuous close liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces regarding security matters, including Aid to Civil Power deployments, particularly in relation to preparations for our forthcoming EU Presidency in the coming weeks,
An Garda Síochána can make requests for assistance directly to the Defence Forces for their consideration in the employment of Defence Forces personnel in Aid to the Civil Power for maintenance or restoration of the public peace. Such requests are submitted on a C-70 form which provides an outline of the assistance being sought. This is an administrative procedure, which is confidential to and between the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána, my Department does not receive nor assess such requests, as it is correctly dealt with as an operational matter.
As my colleague the Minister for Justice Home Affairs and Migration and An Garda Síochána have responsibility for the internal security of the State, it is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána to determine whether and in what context it would require assistance. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further in relation to any operational or tactical considerations they would be required to consider in pursuit of their taskings.
