asked the Minister for Defence the current cost of providing security to banks and other institutions; and whether such costs are fully recoverable.

Pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, the Defence Forces give assistance to the Garda Síochána in protecting movements of cash. The estimated additional costs, excluding pay, in respect of the Defence Forces of providing such assistance, in the six month period ended 30 June 1985 was £915,000.

Since the Defence Forces act in aid of the Garda Síochána in this situation the question of the recovery of costs is not a matter for my Department.

If the cost is almost £1 million for six months, obviously it is £2 million on an annual basis. Is the Minister convinced that the policy is justified?

Yes, because that is the cost of keeping large sums of money from falling into the hands of subversives, money with which they could buy arms and ammunition to do untold harm to the national interest.

Is any of the approximately £2 million per annum recovered by the Government?

No.

In the light of the cost involved, can the Minister say whether certain patrols have been withdrawn in relation to the movement of currency in the Border area?

For security reasons I am not prepared to give any information about the deployment of Defence Forces personnel.