Regulations for Army search and arrest powers
Dowling pressed on whether regulations governing Defence Forces operations under the Emergency Powers Act had been made, and whether the Army could act without them. The Chair repeatedly ruled these matters separate from the original question, while the Minister said the Garda had made no request and invited Dowling to submit a question about regulations.
If the Minister does not know that, can he indicate if a new Defence Forces regulation has yet been published in relation to the power to operate on the basis of the Emergency Powers Act, 1976?
Comment on this
Can the Minister indicate if a new Defence Forces regulation has yet been published in relation to the power of search and arrest under the Emergency Powers Act, 1976?
Comment on this
Is it possible to find out on what basis members of the Permanent Defence Forces are operational at the moment in Green Street Courthouse or in other areas?
Comment on this
Everything is a matter for the Chair. Can the Minister indicate if there will be a Defence Forces regulation under the Emergency Powers Act, 1976 drawn up shortly, if it has not already been drawn up?
Comment on this
If the Deputy puts down a question on that matter, I will be prepared to give him an answer.
Comment on this
If there has been no request from the members of the Garda Síochána for military personnel under the Emergency Powers Act, 1976, how soon could they be operational if a new Defence Forces regulation has not yet been drawn up?
Comment on this
As I have indicated to the Deputy, a request for members of the Defence Forces in this regard is a matter entirely for the Garda Síochána.
Comment on this
——that it is not possible to operate this particular section of the Emergency Powers Act unless a Defence Forces regulation is drawn up? A former Minister said that he would be in a position to indicate at a very early date if and when this regulation was drawn up. Is it drawn up yet? If not, when will it be drawn up so that if the Army were called out under this particular section of the Emergency Powers Act they would be able to operate?