asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the arrangements, and revenue accruing from such arrangements, regarding the utilisation of Army personnel and resources for protection of bank cash and other consignments; and if he proposes any updating or change in this situation.

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. No revenue accrues to my Department from the provision of such military escorts.

Assistance to the Garda Síochána in this matter will continue to be provided for as long as the security situation requires.

Have discussions taken place between the authorities and the banks for whom most of the money is escorted, in relation to the banks recouping some of the expense incurred by the State in giving the necessary protection?

The Army escorts are merely a back-up to the Garda security. Any negotiations of the level mentioned by the Deputy would be a matter for the Department of Justice.

Is the Minister aware that any discussions have taken place because there is obviously a cost to the State involved and if discussions have taken place will the Minister inform the House of the situation?

I am aware that talks took place some time ago and I am quite sure that Deputy Spring, the former Tánaiste, is also aware of that. The discussions were between the Department of Finance, the Department of Justice and the banks. I do not have the information in relation to the outcome of those talks.

What is the approximate cost of those security arrangements as far as the Army are concerned? I understand it is increasing in leaps and bounds every year but nobody seems able to tell me exactly what it costs to provide that service.

I do not know whether the Deputy has sought that information previously but I can give it to him with no difficulty. In 1985 it cost £1.9 million and in 1986 it cost £1.57 million.