Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
394. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice the total cost to the State of providing security for the visit of the US President; and for a breakdown of this cost in as detailed a manner as possible. [19028/23]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that high level visits to Ireland are of significant importance in the development and maintenance of our relations with other States. Such visits are to be welcomed and offer important opportunities to us, as a small outward-looking State, for positive engagement with partners.
In terms of the cost associated with the visit to Ireland of President Biden, the Deputy will appreciate that there is an obligation on the State to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of every visiting dignitary, in line with risk assessment. Similar measures and courtesies are as a matter of course also extended to Ireland, when members of Government travel on official visits to other States.
I am sure the Deputy will also appreciate, given the short time frame since the Presidential visit to Ireland, that the Garda authorities are not in a position to provide final costs of the visit yet, as invoices, travel and subsistence requests, and other such like requests are yet to be received. The final figures will become more clear in the coming months as payments are processed to completion.
I am also sure the Deputy and indeed the House will agree that An Garda Síochána should be commended for the flexibility and professionalism demonstrated in dealing with what was an extremely complex, dynamic and indeed highly challenging operation.
