Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 May 2022
201. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice her views on the security review undertaken by her Department and an Garda Síochána in relation to cabinet ministers; the recommendations made and the relevant spend and personnel numbers associated with this programme to date in 2022.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22384/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, for good reason, it is not the practice to comment on security matters relating to the protection of office holders. It would not be appropriate for me to give details of the arrangements that may be put in place with regard to Ministerial security. To do so would be contrary to the public interest.
The personal safety of office holders is a priority, and the arrangements for Ministerial security operate dynamically on the basis of an ongoing threat assessment and a risk analysis carried out by An Garda Síochána who are the operational experts in these matters. Arrangements in individual cases are subject to review by An Garda Síochána, having regard to the particular circumstances and in consultation with the office holder.
More generally, my Department and An Garda Síochána keep all security matters, including the safety and security of public representatives, under constant review. The Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of Garda resources deployed for these purposes.
