Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I have previously provided the House with details of the Garda costs that have arisen from the State visits of Queen Elizabeth and President Obama in May of this year. In that regard, Deputies will be aware that the relevant expenditure is approximately €36 million. I appreciate that this figure is substantial but I believe the visits provided this country with substantial benefits, which far outweigh the financial element involved. Additionally, unprecedented security measures had to be put in place and the safety of our visitors had to be the top priority.

Funding for the State visits was not provided for in the Garda Vote for 2011 because the visits had not been planned when the current Garda Estimates were finalised. As a result a significant unanticipated body of expenditure has arisen. I am currently engaging with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, in regard to the financial arrangements to be made in respect of the visits. These contacts are ongoing and I expect they will conclude shortly. I can assure the Deputy that an important part of the discussion is to ensure that frontline Garda services will not be adversely affected when it comes to meeting the cost of the visits.

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