Defence Forces 'on standby' to assist with security at Dublin Airport
Simon Coveney said he had consulted with the Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy on matter. File Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
Members of the Defence Forces are to undergo immediate training to assist with security at Dublin Airport until the end of the summer.
The Department of Foreign Affairs says it has accepted a request from Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to allow members of the defence forces to be drafted in to assist the Dublin airport operator, Daa, with its aviation security duties at the airport.
In a statement, Defence Minister Simon Coveney said that though he recognised that “the role of the Defence Forces is not normally to assist in the provision of services for a commercial airport”, he had agreed to the request on following clear assurances that "this is a distinct piece of work, provided in extreme circumstances, as a short-term emergency-related contingency action.”
It is understood the Defence Forces personnel will be undertaking non-public facing duties at the airport for six weeks, before being stood down in August, when it is expected the Daa will have trained its own staff to carry out the work.
Mr Coveney said he had consulted with the Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy on matter.
“The Daa has given assurances that they will continue with their own recruitment and onboarding of additional security staff and the introduction of other mitigations during this period,” Mr Coveney said.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said the potential deployment of defence forces members was the direct result of a proposal from the Daa.
"The Daa has advised that its current operational plan, in place since the beginning of June, is working effectively and people are making their way through the airport safely and making their flights.
"However, given the heightened risk environment and the impact that a resurgence of Covid-19 could have on its staff and operations, Daa proposed that it would be prudent at this juncture for initial, preparatory steps to be made to facilitate the potential deployment of the Defence Forces to the airport," the spokesperson said.
Speaking on RTÉ radio, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said the move was made in response to a request from the Daa.
Delays at airports were a problem across Europe, added the Green Party leader, and it was not acceptable for people to miss their flights.
Rising Covid numbers meant there was concern that the Daa could see worsening staff difficulties, and having the army on standby meant they would be available if necessary.
The agreement is in place from July 6 to August 15, which is the busiest spell at the airport.
The Daa is also set to see its staffing levels increase by 480 staff by the end of July.
The army will be called in only in specific circumstances and any costs incurred will be met by the DAA which will reimburse the Exchequer.
In a statement issued this afternoon, Daa insisted it has confidence in its current plans. During the first three weeks of June, some 93% of passengers spent less than 45 minutes queuing at Dublin Airport's security screening areas, and 77% queued for 30 minutes or less.
Over the past weekend - which was the busiest Dublin Airport has experienced since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic - 91% of the 50,000 to 55,000 passengers that departed Dublin Airport each day cleared security screening in less than 45 minutes.
Capacity restrictions were considered but deemed to be "undesirable" as they are challenging to implement, a spokesperson said.
