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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Search and Arrest Assistance.

Regulations for Army search and arrest powers

Summary

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
Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle Labour Party

The Deputy is getting off this question altogether.

Comment on this

Surely I am entitled——

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Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle Labour Party

The Deputy must ask a relevant question.

Comment on this

I want to repeat the question.

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Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle Labour Party

It must be relevant.

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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
Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle Labour Party

That, again, is a separate question.

Comment on this

They are all separate questions.

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Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle Labour Party

They are worthy of separate answers then.

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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
Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle Labour Party

The Deputy is being disorderly now.

Comment on this

I am not being disorderly.

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Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle Labour Party

This is the third time the Deputy has put that question. It is a separate question.

Comment on this

It is not.

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Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle Labour Party

That is a matter for the Chair.

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
Oliver J. Flanagan Mr. O.J. Flanagan Fine Gael

If the Deputy puts down a question on that matter, I will be prepared to give him an answer.

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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
Oliver J. Flanagan Mr. O.J. Flanagan Fine Gael

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

Does the Minister not agree——

Comment on this
Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle Labour Party

This must be the final question.

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——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?

Comment on this
Oliver J. Flanagan Mr. O.J. Flanagan Fine Gael

I can assure the Deputy that no request has been received to date from the Garda Síochána.

Comment on this