Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
749. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of instances in 2021 and to date in 2022 in which members of An Garda Síochána acted in their official capacity outside the State; the protocol or procedure that the Garda Commissioner must adhere to with the Minister in respect of allowing members of An Garda Síochána to accompany an Taoiseach and Ministers on travel episodes outside of this State. [37896/22]
View answerI have contacted the Garda authorities to request the information sought by the Deputy. Regrettably this was not available within the time available. I will write to the Deputy again once the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
As you will recall, Minister McEntee had sought the information you requested from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand. The delay in responding is regretted. As you will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the manner in which Garda resources are deployed. As Minister, I have no role in the matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána is responsible for the protection of members of the Government. I am further informed that when necessary, the Garda authorities liaise with relevant Government Departments with the aim of mitigating any potential risks.
I am further advised that protection arrangements around foreign travel in respect of the Taoiseach is a matter of national security, and as you will appreciate it is not possible to comment on specifics of protection arrangements as a result. Member(s) of An Garda Síochána accompany the Taoiseach on all foreign official travel, however, other Government Ministers are not accompanied unless protection is required following a threat and/or risk assessment.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that information relating to all instances where Garda members left the State on official business is not readily available. I have been advised that it would require a disproportionate amount of time and Garda resources to complete the work. Consequently I am unable to provide the precise number of incidences as requested.
