Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Section 30 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides a statutory basis for the Garda Commissioner, as Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote, to charge for the policing of certain events such as sports fixtures, concerts and festivals. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the cost to the event-holder is determined by the number of Garda personnel deployed. The operational plan for a particular event is formulated by local Garda management. The objective in charging for police services is to recover the cost of providing the service and all such charges are agreed with event-holders in advance.

I am sure that the House will agree that it is incumbent on all public bodies to ensure that they are run efficiently and cost-effectively. One of the means the Garda Commissioner has at her disposal to ensure the cost-effectiveness of the Garda Síochána is to charge for such services. I consider the Garda Commissioner and her management team to be best placed to determine the appropriate level of reimbursement to be sought in each case.

As regards the level of recoupment sought, I am advised by the Garda authorities that they seek to recover all of the policing costs associated with commercial events organised with the objective of making a financial gain without a specific community or charitable benefit. In respect of events held with the objective of providing a service to the community and-or making a financial gain with surplus proceeds going to the local community, a contribution towards the policing costs is requested. Exceptions to these arrangements are made, however, in respect of events run solely for charity purposes or national events such as the main St. Patrick's Day parade and charges are not levied in these cases.

It is right that the Garda can charge for these services, but I support the lower level of charge for the kind of events the Deputy is asking about, which benefit the community.

I have no plans to amend section 30. It seems to me that the Garda is implementing it in a fair and structured way.

See this speech in context