Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will introduce a policy that public events and festivals be supported by the State through a policy of ensuring that no charges be imposed on voluntary committees by the Gardaí for the provision of Garda services for events thus ensuring that the organisation of local events and festivals are encouraged rather than penalised by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17140/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The setting of charges for Garda policing services is a function which has been assigned to the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. In that context the Commissioner determines the circumstances in which such charges arise and I do not have a role in relation to the matter.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that, at operational level, it is the Divisional Officer who decides whether policing services provided in connection with a specific event will be charged for. In that regard I also understand that Divisional Officers take into account the type of event involved.