Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Oct 1995

Vol. 456 No. 4

Written Answers. - Garda Duties.

John O'Donoghue

Question:

63 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice the moneys outstanding from organisers of major events for members of the Garda called up for duties; the names of the event organisers who have not paid; the length of time the moneys are due; the action, if any, the Minister proposes to take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14019/95]

John O'Donoghue

Question:

64 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice the names of organisations that requested and agreed to pay for extra gardaí in each of the years 1992 to 1994; the amounts of moneys concerned; if she has satisfied herself with the agreements reached; the plans, if any, she has to review the method of payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14020/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 64 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that numerous organisations have requested and been given the assistance of gardaí on a non-public duty basis over the years. These organisations are too numerous to list but include the GAA, soccer clubs, film companies, race committees, concert promoters etc. The organisers of events who employ gardaí for non-public duty are made aware of the conditions attached to this arrangement by the relevant district officer.

I am not in a position to provide all the detailed information sought by the Deputy in these questions. The precise amounts sought in respect of non-public duty performed by members of the Garda from the organisers of events is a matter between my Department, the Garda Síochána and the event organisers and it would not be appropriate for me to give details. However, the overall amounts sought, paid and owed by event organisers for the years 1992, 1993 and 1994 are set out in the table below.

TABLE

	1992	1993	1994
	£	£	£
Due	309,258	389,648	273,165
Paid	287,228	322,595	253,694
Owing	22,030	67,053	19,471

There are amounts owing in respect of non-public duty performed prior to 1992 amounting to approximately £35,300. Procedures for the collection of the moneys owed are under review by my Department in conjunction with the Garda authorities to ensure that all outstanding debts are collected. Of course, one option is to discontinue the provision of gardaí for non-public duty to those who have failed to pay for past services by the Garda Síochána. The Garda authorities point out that, in many cases, it is difficult to define where public duty ends and non-public duty liability of the organisations begins but that the safety of the public must be the ultimate consideration. In addition, many of these events, which have a community dimension, are organised under pressing financial circumstances and this must also be taken into account in the review.