Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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103. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of establishing a stand-alone intelligence agency either within the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána or a stand-alone agency based on current information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19341/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Commission on the Future of Policing is currently undertaking a comprehensive examination of all aspects of policing in Ireland, including the provision of security services to the State by An Garda Síochána. The Commission is due to report in September this year and I look forward to receiving the output of its extensive body of work and the recommendations that it may make in this and in other areas. As the Deputy will appreciate, the question of such an agency, and the associated costs, were it to be contemplated, would be a matter for consideration not just by my Department but by others also.