Written answers

Tuesday, 10 October 2006

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Garda Operations

9:00 pm

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 224: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the total expenditure of Garda resources on event control and management at Croke Park for the year 1 October 2005 to 31 September 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31635/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy is aware 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 (e.g at sporting events, major G.A.A. 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.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the total cost of supplying Gardaí for duty of a non-public nature at events held at Croke Park during the period 1st October, 2005 to 31st September, 2006 was €930,097. Garda management further state that costs in respect of duty carried out by members outside of the stadium are not currently available.

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