Conor Gallagher

It's the, on Garda Síochána is the lead security agency in this, it should be said.

So anything the Defence Forces do will be in a supporting role to that or will be limited to those military installations.

Guardia will also be focusing on anti-counterterrorism as well.

They've invested a huge amount of money in units like the Emergency Response Unit.

People might see this hulking great.

armoured car that the guards recently bought in preparation for the presidency.

So there's an awful lot going on behind the scenes.

No, probably not.

So we will see an awful lot more guardie on the streets, I think it's fair to say.

It's unlikely you'll see the military on the streets.

The military...

The Defence Forces role at the minute is confined to protecting Defence Forces installations, particularly Casement Aerodrome, where all these EU leaders are going to fly into.

It'll be Gardaí who will take the lead role elsewhere.

Now, Gardaí have the option to call in the Defence Forces for assistance, as they've done many times over the years, by invoking the Aid to the Civil Power regulation.

That may or may not happen.

Oftentimes, the guards like to handle these situations themselves.

But given that the Defence Forces are investing so much in this, there might be a role for them, maybe guarding specific locations where these high-profile events are happening around the country.

But that's likely to be a subtle role.

They're not going to be on the streets, or you're not going to see...

armed helicopters flying over Dublin.