Irish security forces refer to the various security forces of Ireland. Among other roles, they carry out efforts to undermine the ongoing dissident Irish republican campaign since the Troubles.[1] They consist of the following organisations;
- Defence Forces[3]
- Garda Síochána[16]
- Crime and Security Branch (CSB)
- Special Detective Unit (SDU) [17]
- National Surveillance Unit (NSU) [19]
- Crime and Security Branch (CSB)
- Airport Police Service[20]
- Dublin Harbour Police
- Dún Laoghaire Harbour Police[21]
- Revenue Commissioners[23]
- Customs
References
- ^ "Explosives and firearms found in Co Louth". BBC News. 1 March 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "gov - About the Department of Defence". www.gov.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
The Department of Defence is one of the government departments primarily concerned with ensuring the secure and stable environment necessary for economic growth and development. The high level goal of the Defence organisation is: "To provide for the military defence of the State, contribute to national and international peace and security and fulfil all other roles assigned by government."
- ^ "What We do - Defence Forces". www.military.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "Army - Defence Forces". www.military.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
The Army is organised on conventional military lines providing a sufficiently flexible structure to carry out all the roles assigned by Government. The Army is a standing force and provides the primary capabilities for joint military operations at home and combined military Peace Support Operations abroad.
- ^ "The Army Ranger Wing". www.military.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "Ordnance Corps". www.military.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
The Ordnance Corps has both an operational and a logistical role within the Defence Forces. The logistical role of the Ordnance Corps is to provide technical support to the Defence Forces for the Procurement, Storage, Distribution, Inspection, Maintenance, Repair and Disposal of all items of Ordnance related equipment. The operational role of the Ordnance Corps is to train personnel for and provide the State's EOD/IEDD capability.
- ^ "Air Corps". www.military.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
The role of the Air Corps under the Defence Act is to contribute to the security of the State by providing for the Military Air Defence of its airspace. However in times of peace it is more usual for the Air Corps to fulfil the roles assigned by Government through the deployment of a well motivated and effective Air Corps.
- ^ "The Naval Service". www.military.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
The Naval Service is the State's principal seagoing agency with a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements. It is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles.
- ^ McNally, Tadgh McNally (10 October 2023). "Secret service, RTÉ and vapes: Five surprises from Budget 2024". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
The Directorate of Military Intelligence, also known as J2, is the main intelligence branch of the Defence Forces and primarily works with the Government to provide information surrounding the security of the State.
- ^ "Ireland a new front in global intelligence game". Irish Echo. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
There is a military intelligence arm, Army G-2 intelligence, or the Directorate of Intelligence.
- ^ "Commission on the DF - Public Consultation Response Template" (PDF). assets.gov.ie. p. 13. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
National Security Intelligence Section (NSIS) which primarily looks at and reports about threats on-island. This will include intelligence capacity to deal with subversive groups on island, far left and far right extremism, religious extremism and counter intelligence capacity.
- ^ "Commission on the DF - Public Consultation Response Template" (PDF). assets.gov.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
Defence Intelligence (DI) which primarily looks at and reports about threats off-island. This includes general Intelligence specialisation of world regions and specific intelligence requirements for DF deployments and other Irish overseas interests.
- ^ "Communications and Information Services Corps". www.military.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
The Communications and Information Services (CIS) Corps is responsible for the development and operation of Information Technology systems in support of Defence Forces (DF) tasks. It is also responsible for co-coordinating all communications (radio and line) and information systems, communications research and update of communications in line with modern developments and operational requirements.
- ^ "Military Police Corps - Defence Forces". www.military.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
The Military Police are responsible for the prevention and investigation of offences, the enforcement of discipline and the general policing of the Defence Forces. In wartime, additional tasks include the provision of a traffic control organisation to allow rapid movement of military formations to their mission areas. Other wartime roles include control of prisoners of war and refugees.
- ^ "About the Department of Justice". www.gov.ie. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
The Department's mission of working for a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland carries with it enormous responsibility, but also a great sense of purpose and pride in the contribution that our organisation makes to the delivery of a just and democratic society. We have lead responsibility for public policy in respect of the security of the State and public safety, including the prevention and detection of crime, the administration of justice, the management of inward migration and international protection processes, the provision of important regulatory services and ongoing reform of civil and criminal law.
- ^ "Homepage of An Garda Síochána". Garda. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "Garda National Crime & Security Intelligence Service". Garda. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
The SDU is responsible for the investigation of threats to State security and the monitoring of persons who pose a threat to this on both national and international fronts. The unit also provides security for visiting VIPs, cash-in-transit movements and armed response. The SDU is the operational wing of the Witness Security Programme.
- ^ "Garda National Crime & Security Intelligence Service". Garda. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
The highly-trained and equipped specialist intervention unit, the Emergency Response Unit, is also part of the SDU.
- ^ "Communique%20November%2008.pdf" (PDF). garda.ie. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 March 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
On appointment to Superintendent, he took charge of the National Surveillance Unit, which provides a covert surveillance capability for the Garda service
- ^ "Airport Police Service | Dublin Airport". dublinairport.com. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
The Airport Police Service (APS) is responsible for general policing and aviation security duties at the State airports in Dublin and Cork. We are also tasked with the safety of the State airports and the protection of civil aviation from unlawful acts of interference.
- ^ "Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on X: "Did you know your Council has a specialised police force in Dún Laoghaire Harbour Police?..."". 1 July 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ "About the Department of Finance". www.gov.ie. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
The Department of Finance's mission is to lead in the achievement of the government's economic, fiscal and financial policy goals, having regard to the goals set out in the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future.
- ^ "Role of Revenue". www.revenue.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
The Mission Statement of Revenue is: 'To serve the community by fairly and efficiently collecting taxes and duties and implementing Customs controls.' Revenue currently employs approximately 6,600 staff (full time equivalents). Staff are located in some 70 Revenue offices distributed throughout the country.
- ^ "About the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications". www.gov.ie. 12 September 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is responsible for the delivery of policies and programmes in a number of areas. The department must ensure that all of its policies are in line with EU and global obligations.
- ^ "NationalCyberSecurityStrategy20152017.pdf" (PDF). .dcenr.gov.ie. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
The NCSC will engage in a comprehensive set of tasks around cyber security, with primary focus on securing government networks, assisting industry and individuals in protecting their own systems, and securing critical national infrastructure.
- ^ "NCSC: National Cyber Security Centre". www.ncsc.gov.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "What We Do". enterprise.gov.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment leads in advising and implementing the government's policies of stimulating the productive capacity of the economy and creating an environment which enables employment creation and sustainability. The department is also charged with promoting fair competition in the marketplace, protecting consumers and safeguarding workers.
- ^ "CEA | About". cea.gov.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2024.