State Visits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 November 2011

Thursday, 17 November 2011

Questions (170)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

171 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality, further to Parliamentary Question No. 408 of the 19 July 2011 (details supplied) regarding the impact on the budget for Garda in crime investigation and action in front line policing and in view of the November 2011 statement (details further supplied), his views on the fact that there appears to be two different versions of whether the cost of the visits will impact on our delivery of a proper service to the public by members of An Garda Síochana; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35266/11]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter)

I can assure the Deputy that there is no divergence of view between myself and any of my Government colleagues on the significance of the costs that have arisen from the State visits of Queen Elizabeth and President Obama earlier this year.

The Deputy will appreciate that funding for the State visits was not provided for in the Garda Vote for 2011 because the visits had not been planned when this year's Estimates were finalised. Consequently, a significant unanticipated body of expenditure has arisen and all Ministers are aware of this situation.

I am currently finalising discussions with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in connection with the financial arrangements to be made to cover the expenditure involved in the context of overall funding for the Garda Síochána this year.