Security at Shannon Airport has cost the State close to €5 million in the past 13 years, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has revealed.

In a written Dáil reply to Fianna Fáil Mayo TD Lisa Chambers, Mr Kenny said the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána had primary responsibility for the State's internal security.

Mr Kenny said that, since February 5th, 2003, the Defence Forces had provided aid to the civil power, which in practice meant An Garda Síochána, at the airport when requested to do so.

Costs

The costs involved the payment of security duty allowance, as well as the provision of rations and fuel.

Mr Kenny outlined the following annual security costs at the airport: 2003, €1.1 million; 2004, €760,500; 2005, €225,900; 2006, €403,375; 2007, €275,054; 2008, €286,273; 2009, €258,040; 2010, €203,366; 2011, €259,739; 2012, €275,008; 2013, €196,769; 2014, €180,913; 2015, €180,814, to date in 2016, €81,090.