Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 1144: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost to the taxpayer here of the ongoing Garda operations in the Rossport-Ballinaboy area in north Mayo; his views on whether the high level of Garda activity is a waste of Garda time and manpower; if Garda resources will not be better employed elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1451/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, that the total cost to 31 December 2005 of the Garda operation at Rossport-Ballinaboy, including basic salary, overtime, subsistence allowance and travelling expenses plus other ancillary costs, amounted to €932,964. This ongoing operation is regularly reviewed to ensure the most effective and efficient use of resources.

As section 7 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes clear, the function of the force is to provide policing and security services for the State, with the objectives of, inter alia, preserving peace and good order, protecting life and property, and preventing crime. The Garda authorities advise that these objectives are what motivate the continued Garda presence in the Glengad, Rossport and Ballinaboy areas. Garda resources are deployed by local Garda management based on an assessment of the situation pertaining locally and other policing requirements.

The Garda Síochána also maintains a crime prevention, criminal intelligence and road safety initiative role in the areas it patrols, which is incorporated in the Garda duty to monitor the situation at Corrib gas project sites so as to preserve the peace.

Garda management states that Garda personnel assignments throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible service is provided for the public.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 1145: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the continuing overt Garda activity and surveillance of local persons in the Rossport-Ballinaboy area of north Mayo; his views on whether the persons of the Rossport-Ballinaboy area are a threat to the security of the State in view of the ongoing heavy Garda activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1453/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Corrib gas project sites are located at Glengad, Rossport and Ballinaboy, County Mayo. A number of protesters are currently present on the side of the public road at Ballinaboy, County Mayo. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the reason for the continued Garda presence in the Glengad, Rossport and Ballinaboy areas is to enable the Garda Síochána to perform in an impartial manner its functions, which include preserving peace and public order and protecting life and property, as set out in the Garda Síochána Act 2005. The level of Garda resources deployed is decided by local Garda management, taking into consideration its assessment of the situation and other policing requirements.