Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

Additional costs of €36 million were incurred for the visits of Queen Elizabeth II and President Obama. The original estimate was that the cost would be approximately €20 million. The Queen's visit turned out to be a good deal longer than was originally anticipated and was most successful. Efficiencies have been effected across the Garda Vote, as they have been effected across other parts of the justice Vote within the Department so matters could be dealt with in a more efficient and effective way. I assure the Deputy that whatever outstanding funding the Garda requires arising from the visits is being provided.

The Garda has operated with great efficiency and effectiveness this year. There has been a series of operations in which the Garda has targeted drug gangs and those engaged, for example, in the sale and smuggling of illegal fuel in this country. The force will continue to work to the highest level of efficiency. With regard to Operation Freeflow, this is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. Usually there is an announcement in December about it and I anticipate that the Garda will take such action this year as is necessary to ensure that our roads are safe. As I said earlier today, there has been a substantial reduction in the number of lives lost on our roads this year and in the number of road traffic accidents. That is partly contributed to by the vigilance of An Garda Síochána.

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