asked the Minister for Justice if he will state in detail the number of occasions during 1983, 1982, 1981 and 1980 on which the Garda Síochána were privately employed by voluntary, sporting or charitable organisations or at public functions or events; the location of each event; the number of gardaí employed on each occasion; the total amount of money paid by each organisation annually in these years for the services of the Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Private Employment of Garda.
10.
(Limerick East): I assume that the question relates to non-public duty performed by members of the Garda Síochána under arrangements made by the Garda authorities with organisers of events such as football matches and race meetings who seek their services to perform duties for which they would not normally be officially assigned. Traditionally, members of the Force have been made available for the performance of such duties and the State has charged for their services. Nearly all the work is done by members who would otherwise be off duty.
Compilation of the detailed information sought in the question would involve a disproportionate amount of time and resources. The only information which is readily available relates to the total amount received each year in respect of non-public duty performed by members of the Garda Síochána. The amounts received in the years 1980 to 1983 were as follows: 1980, £92,673; 1981, £95,109; 1982, £104,331; 1983, £115,838.
I am slightly disappointed that the Minister did not give the information which I requested. Could he tell us the number of organisations which paid those amounts in the various years? Could he also tell us whether the Garda, as guardians of the peace, are employed privately by an organisation for a particular event and if they have the same powers on private property on those occasions as if they were engaged on normal duties? What training, if any, have the Garda in crowd control?
(Limerick East): On the first point, I regret that I have not the absolute detail of information requested by the Deputy but it is not readily available and would require much time and expenditure to acquire. The records are not kept centrally, it would require getting the information from various divisions. With regard to the second point, this procedure has gone on for many years. Up to 1952, it was the practice to provide personnel for non-public duties from members on duty. It is the practice now to look for volunteers and to put off-duty gardaí on this kind of work. I cannot give a list of the events but, in general, it comprises race-courses, football matches and so on. On occasion there is obviously a necessity to keep playing pitches and race tracks free from encroachment by the public. It also applies to where exhibits are on show so that the public will not do any damage. The public also have to be kept from injuring themselves and this arrangement has been enforced for a great number of years. The Garda have training in all areas related to the commission of crime and crowd control and have experience in those matters. Obviously, their experience is related to the fact that they have been on duty at race meetings and matches over the years.
The Minister did not answer the important supplementary which I asked. When the gardaí are employed privately, have they the same powers as when they are on public duty regarding the arrest of subversives and criminals on private property when employed and paid privately by those organisations?
(Limerick East): A garda is a garda whether on or off duty and of course he would have powers although there would be a discretion regarding their use. They would fit their powers to the situation in which they found themselves.
If the powers of the Garda are equal on all occasions would the Minister not agree that many of these charitable and sporting organisations are being asked to bear an unfair burden in making a contribution like this to policing in the State?
(Limerick East): I do not agree. When gardaí are involved in this kind of duty it is in situations where people are charged an entrance fee at the gate. Crowd control has to be taken as part of the overall cost and the only alternative to that is for the taxpayer to bear the burden.