Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I assure the Minister that Deputy Ó Cuív will not be riding into the twilight any time soon. I received information at the weekend to which the Minister may not at present be able to respond. The mounted police unit is used to promote the Garda and its activities, as well as provide security duties. In the past several weeks, the Garda has begun to issue bills for providing policing. I am aware of one town which has been issued a bill for €2,000 for the provision of policing for its St. Patrick's Day parade. I have no difficulty with the Garda charging for commercial events such as concerts but is it a new policy to issue bills for community events and celebrations? The mounted unit has done a successful job in recent years in attending shows all over the country to promote the Garda. Will these activities also be subject to a levy?

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