asked the Minister for Justice the cost to the taxpayer of protest marches in Dublin city centre, specifically related to: (a) Garda man hours and (b) Garda pay, including overtime, in 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Protest Marches.
9.
(Limerick East): I am informed by the Garda authorities that records are not maintained in such a way as to provide the particulars sought in the question.
Does the Minister agree that the number of marches held in Dublin city has caused widespread concern to hard-pressed traders? The cost, apart from the cost to the Garda, which must be astronomical and probably why they did not keep figures on it, should be of great concern to the Government. Will the Minister do something to control marches? Some of them were important but many do not have a national interest and yet upset the whole city. Will the Minister try to implement rules which would control the number of marches?
(Limerick East): The Garda keep figures and try to ascertain the cost of major Garda operations. There would be an estimated cost for the Mountjoy Prison operation as well as the cost of overtime in the Ballinamore operation. As regards protest marches in Dublin, individual figures are not kept. I agree that there is interference with trading in the city centre if large protest marches take place but in a democratic society there must be a free right to protest. In so far as it affects my Department, the Garda try to ensure that these marches pass by peacefully with a minimum of interference to third parties.