Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 314: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost to the State in the provision of gardaí for cordon and other duties on major match days at Croke Park, Dublin 1; the contribution made by the GAA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17005/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Over the years numerous organisations have requested and have been given the assistance of gardaí on a non-public duty basis. Traditionally, gardaí have been made available for the performance of such duties and the State has charged for their services. This work is done by members of the force who would otherwise be off duty. At present, organisers of events pay for the cost of non-public duties performed by gardaí on duty inside the event location, for example at sporting events, major GAA or soccer matches, rock concerts, etc. The cost of policing duties performed by gardaí outside of the event location, such as traffic control, beat patrols and other policing duties which would be additional to those normally performed at the location are not paid for by the organisers of the event and fall to be paid from public funds. The Garda authorities point out that in many cases, it is difficult to define where public duty ends and where non-public duty liability of the organisations begins but that the safety of the public must be the ultimate consideration.

The level of policing for match days in Croke Park is determined by the anticipated attendance numbers. The following examples may be of assistance to the Deputy. The total policing costs of the all-Ireland hurling final in 2004 amounted to approximately €101,000. This figure includes the payroll costs and travel and subsistence for gardaí engaged on duty in Croke Park and in the provision of cordon and all other directly related duties. The GAA contributed a sum of €61,139 to the Garda Vote to partly reimburse this expenditure. The total cost of policing the 2004 Ulster final amounted to approximately €75,000 to which the GAA contributed €33,000.