Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This section is an enabling one rather than being overly prescriptive. What the Commissioner always has to do is look at whether this is in the public interest. It has to be consistent with the functions of An Garda Síochána and he or she must make sure it does not impact on the role of the Garda or potentially take away from resources. Again, I think we are being overly prescriptive in adding this measure on top of it. It is very clear at the moment that this is a role the Garda may take on or it is a duty they may be part of, for example, when large events or matches take place on particular days where the Garda are naturally there and it is part of their overall duty, so there might not even be an agreement in place. This is to allow for a particular agreement to take place rather than getting into too much detail as to the regard the Commissioner may or may not have. It does have to be in the public interest to provide this type of service, and any charge, but the Commissioner would also have to make sure that it does not inhibit the Garda's work more generally on that day or any day-to-day basis.