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

An Garda Síochána is currently looking at this policy area and developing a policy document formulating in more detail how the policing at certain events should be approached. As I stated, they have charges for these major commercial public events. Being commercial, clearly, these are for profit.

On the question of community events, these will take Garda time and there is a considerable cost to many of them. It is incumbent on the organisers to reduce in so far as possible the level of policing that is needed at any particular event - obviously, we have to ensure public safety - and the presence of gardaí is nevertheless essential at some of these events.

Deputy Mac Lochlainn has written to me in this regard. He has concerns about certain events. I do not think it needs an amendment to the legislation, but perhaps more refined criteria on these charges could be developed that would better reflect the ability of those organisations to respond. The Deputy might like to contribute to that policy development.

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