Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status members of a personal security detail have here while accompanying a member of a foreign government on a visit to Ireland; the powers they have to deal with protesters they may encounter in the course of a visit; the way members of the Garda are instructed to react when members of such a security detail use physical force to deal with protesters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26269/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The details of the members of high level foreign delegations visiting Ireland, including any accompanying security personnel, are notified to the Department of Foreign Affairs in advance of a delegation's arrival and that Department liaises with my Department and the Garda Síochána on relevant security-related aspects. The members of visiting Government delegations would enjoy the privileges and immunities appropriate to their status. However, all members of visiting delegations are required to respect and to comply with Irish law. The powers available to members of a personal security detail are no greater than those enjoyed by any citizen in similar circumstances. Members of the Garda Síochána are conferred with statutory powers in pursuit of their functions to preserve peace and public order and to prevent, detect and investigate breaches of the criminal law.