The Garda authorities are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources and personnel to different areas. They have expressed concern, and I share that concern, about supplying the kind of detailed information relating to Garda personnel sought by the Deputy, on the grounds of security and in the interest of crime prevention generally. I can say that there are 327 gardaí assigned at present to Border duties in connection with the BSE operation, of which 165 members are from the Dublin metropolitan area. This arrangement is kept under constant review.
The Garda authorities inform me that security operations in relation to Ireland's Presidency of the EU are put in place and monitored on an ongoing basis, having regard to the level of meetings taking place, the risk assessment of individual delegates and the itinerary to be followed at any given time.