Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 775: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the changes which have occurred since the 1965 decision to disband the Garda Band on the grounds of opinion of the then Minister of Justice that it had outlived its usefulness and that the cost of maintaining it was excessive, wasteful and out of all proportion to any purpose served, and of the opinion of the Minister for Finance that the cost of the Garda Band was totally unjustifiable. [1666/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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In 1965, the then Minister for Justice announced his decision to dissolve the band which had a total strength at that time of 35. Following a recommendation in the report of the Conroy Commission (1970) the band was re-established by the Minister in 1972, in time for celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the force, "because of its significance as a morale booster" for the force. The Garda Commissioner proposed a total strength of 40 to include three reserves. A total strength of 40 was approved by the Minister and recruitment proceeded on that basis.

On 1 September 1972, Sergeant T. J. Boyle was appointed Bandmaster. He was promoted to Inspector and Superintendent and served until his retirement in October 1988. During his tenure the title of the post was changed to musical director.

In 1978, women were recruited to the Garda Band for the first time.

Prior to abolition of the band in 1965, and before the 40-hour week and duty rosters, members devoted about half their time to ordinary police duties. Since its re-establishment, members are engaged full-time on band duty and — as is the case with all "Regulation 14" gardaí— persons recruited to the band after 26 April 1990 are not entitled to transfer to other duties. Members who have obtained the rank of Sergeant or Inspector while serving in the band are not eligible for transfer in the same rank to any other section or part of the Garda Síochána unless they have passed the Sergeant or Inspector promotion examination, as appropriate.

The terms of Regulation 14 of the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 1988 provide that: "Where the Commissioner is satisfied that a person has special technical qualifications which justify his appointment and enrolment under this Regulation as a member .... the Commissioner may, with the consent of the Minister, duly appoint and enrol the person as a member without regard to the requirements of Regulation 11." Regulation 11 stipulates the necessity for a period of training before appointment.

The band that was disbanded in December 1965 was mainly a marching ensemble — called the Garda Military Band to distinguish it from the Garda Ceili Band — whose services were mainly required during the summer months and as a result did not have an opportunity to perform on more than 40 to 50 engagements per annum, mainly of a local nature.

The present band, which is a continuation of the reformed band of 1972, is a reflection of the changes that have taken place in the Garda Síochána over the last number of years. Operations are now on a national basis, with engagements extending to all parts of Ireland. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the band has performed on a number of occasions in Northern Ireland, the UK and Europe. The nature of the engagements vary from official Garda functions, all major sporting events, TV and broadcast media to a schools programme covering primary, secondary and third level establishments. Major music festivals, religious services and community based initiatives are also catered for.