Vol. 433 No. 6
142 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education the progress, if any, that has been made by her Department in implementing the recommendations of the Hamilton report; and if she will make a statement on the work to date in relation to the preparation of a code of practice for safety at sports and other outdoor events.
The principal recommendations of the Committee on Public Safety and Crowd Control chaired by Mr. Justice Hamilton were the establishment of a National Authority for Safety at Sports Grounds and the preparation of a code of practice for safety at sports grounds.
A working party was established under the auspices of my Department to prepare the code of practice. A code of practice for safety at outdoor pop concerts and other outdoor musical events, was also prepared, following a detailed consultative process with sporting and other interested groups and organisations. Many of the other recommendations of the Hamilton Committee are covered in the codes of practice. I am awaiting the final submissions of the committee. The question of establishing a National Authority for Safety at Sports Grounds will be fully examined on completion of these codes of practice, in consultation with the other Departments and agencies concerned.
I am informed by my colleague, the Minister for Justice, that the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill, 1993, which is before the Dáil at present, contains provisions — along the lines of recommendations made by the Hamilton committee — giving the gardaí statutory powers to control access to certain events and to allow for the surrender and seizure of intoxicating liquor, etc. The committee's proposals in relation to licensing arrangements for particular events are being dealt with separately.
In so far as implementation of the recommendations by the Garda Síochána is concerned the Garda authorities report that they use prepared guidelines on operational planning for control of spectators at sporting and other events which gather large crowds. These guidelines include arrangements for policing both outside and inside stadia and on the main routes used by spectators. As part of their planning for major events of this kind the Garda authorities meet the organisers and the necessary arrangements are planned in advance. In addition, seminars on the subject of public safety and crowd control are held as required by the Garda College, Templemore to ensure that Garda personnel in charge of operations and sections of the ground at major events receive appropriate training.
