Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023
431. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 476 of 16 May 2023, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to have this PQ answered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29152/23]
View answerI understand Parliamentary Question No. 476 of 16 May refers to the amount that An Garda Síochána spent on hiring crowd control barriers in 2022 and to-date in 2023.
As the Deputy 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, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters, nor can I direct the Commissioner with regard to them.
The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, which is reflected in an allocation of over €2 billion under Budget 2023.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that in 2022, An Garda Síochána spent €386,813.12 and as of end April this year spent have spent €59,711.64 on hiring crowd control barriers.
I am further informed that the last contract retained on file for the provision of crowd control barriers commenced on 22 November 2016 and expired on 21 November 2020. However, I understand that An Garda Síochána are in the preliminary stages of planning a new tender for crowd control barrier services.
