The Defence Forces are officially on standby to help with security duties at Dublin Airport.
The measures will only be enforced if 20% of Dublin Airport staff are absent due to Covid-19. A total of 40 soldiers from the 28th Infantry Battalion based at Finner Camp in Co Donegal were in the capital for special training on Monday.
The measures came into place on Wednesday July 6 and will run for the peak summer period. Junior Minister at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton, told the Dáil on Wednesday that members of the Defence Forces would be involved in non-public-facing roles, relieving DAA staff for security and screening duties in the main terminals.
Read more: Representatives want soldiers at Dublin Airport to be paid €104 extra
She said: “On foot of the Government decision, the Defence Forces will be available on standby from this week for a defined period over the peak summer months. This is a short-term emergency-related contingency measure to protect passengers’ travel arrangements as well as to avoid reputational damage to Ireland’s aviation sector.
“In the event of significant staff shortages due to Covid-19, it is envisaged that the Defence Forces personnel could be deployed to operate the external gate posts into the security-restricted area of Dublin Airport, thereby potentially freeing up approximately 100 staff who could then be deployed in the main terminals.”
Dublin Live took to the streets to find out what people think of these new measures. Watch our video above to hear what Dubs have to say.
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- Representatives want soldiers to be paid €104 extra for every day they carry out security duty
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