Vol. 373 No. 12
asked the Minister for Justice if there will be only 80 gardaí available to police the area around Croke Park, Dublin 3 during the U2 concerts when there will be an estimated 60,000 people attending the concerts; if he is concerned with this situation; if he will ensure that there will be an adequate Garda presence to allay the fears of local residents during the weekend 27-28; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
35.
asked the Minister for Justice if the Garda will close off-licences in the vicinity of Croke Park on the weekend of 27-28 June 1987 so that the large quantity of cider which they are now stockpiling will not be the cause of serious disorder during this concert weekend; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together.
The Garda authorities have informed me that they do not consider that the closing of off-licence premises in the vicinity of Croke Park, as suggested by the Deputy, would be a practical or effective measure.
As regards the policing arrangements for the occasion in question I am assured by the Garda authorities that adequate arrangements have been made to allay the fears of the local residents and to ensure that they will be put to as little inconvenience as possible.
I do not propose to give details of the number of gardaí who will be available for duty. I will only say that the number stated in the question is not correct.
