asked the Minister for Justice if he will arrange that the Garda Síochána should not be required to provide security for banks but that banks themselves should provide their own security force.
140.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Garda Bank Duty.
139.
asked the Minister for Justice the amount, if any, paid by the banks to his Department in respect of special Garda duty to protect their property and assets.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together.
There is a general onus on banks, as indeed on all commercial firms, to take reasonable precautions to protect their property. Naturally these precautions must be all the greater in places of special risk. Banks do, in fact, take special precautions. On the other hand, we have to recognise that there is a limit to what they can do by way of precaution against certain types of criminal. As I have previously informed the House, the extent of any protection to be provided for banks by the Garda is a matter for determination by the Commissioner, Garda Síochána, from time to time, in the light of all the circumstances.
Fees are not charged to banks for Garda services.