Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge that concern. I was also very concerned which is why I was anxious matters would be clarified at the earliest opportunity. Officials from my Department were in contact early yesterday morning with the office of the Garda Síochána Commissioner. Of course, it is not a Department circular; we are not required to sign off on internal Garda circulars. However, coming towards the end of the year all organisations and companies are looking at their financial expenditure over the course of the year. Garda overtime is an issue that has been the subject matter of great interest across An Garda Síochána. The Government is keen at all times to ensure sufficient funds are made available in order to meet the demands of security within the State. I re-emphasise that we are dealing with an unprecedented sum of €120 million for Garda overtime. The manner in which this is expended on overtime across the country, including in this city, is entirely a matter for An Garda Síochána.

There has been ongoing contact between the Department of Justice and Equality, An Garda Síochána and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform over recent months in order to ensure that sufficient funding was made available to meet the requirements of the Christmas season. I share the Deputy's concern. This was an internal memo that found its way into the public domain in a manner that caused alarm across communities. I understand that a press release providing clarification was issued consequent to officials in my Department speaking directly to senior officials in the office of the Garda Commissioner. I assure the Deputy that there is no absolute ban on overtime during the Christmas period.