Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost of policing at major concert events at venues such as the RDS and Croke Park; and the amount paid by the concert promoters to cover policing. [21342/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that given the large number of events that the Garda Síochána is required to police, detailed costings are not available for all venues. Detailed policing plans and costings are only collated for a representative sample of events. However, it is possible to provide the Deputy with the policing costs associated with two major events held in 2004 at Slane, County Meath, and Marley Park, Dublin.

The Madonna concert was held in August at the Slane venue and the total policing cost amounted to some €421,000 to which the concert promoter contributed €97,000. The Dido concert was also held in August at the Marley Park venue and the total policing cost amounted to some €33,000 to which the concert promoter contributed €15,254.

The organisers of events who request the services of gardaí on a non-public duty basis are made aware of the conditions attached to this arrangement by the relevant district officers and pay for the cost of non-public duties performed by gardaí inside the event location. The cost of normal policing duties performed outside the event location such as traffic control, beat patrols and other policing duties are not paid for by the organisers of the event and fall to be paid from public funds.