Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I can inform the Deputy that to my knowledge some individuals who are members of the Garda Reserve have been granted citizenship in recent citizenship ceremonies. The Garda and the Defence Forces have been engaged in the ceremonies. Their involvement centres on the Garda Band, which on occasion plays at the service. When the Garda Band is not present at the service one of the Army bands participates instead. They both bring an additional level of ceremonial to the event. Because of the happy nature of the ceremonies we do not generally need to have any serious policing of such events. I hope that may long remain the position.

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