Vol. 527 No. 3
335 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the practice and policy with regard to the ratification and authorisation of Garda overtime; the budget in this regard; if Garda overtime is generally allowed to enable hot pursuit of a suspect to continue or to enable the arrest of a suspect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28476/00]
The objective of Garda overtime is to allow the Garda Síochána flexibility in responding to circumstances which require manpower resources over and above those available from gardaí on rostered duty. The nature of Garda work and the requirement that the Garda authorities respond at short notice to crisis situa tions mean that overtime expenditure is sometimes unavoidable for the purposes of effective policing.
The practice and policy with regard to the ratification and allocation of Garda overtime rest with the Garda Commissioner. The authorisation of overtime for operational matters is a matter for local Garda management.
Expenditure on Garda overtime in 1997 was £43.89 million – the allocation for Garda overtime this year is £44.49 million. Garda overtime typically arises in the following circumstances: investigation and prosecution of serious crimes; high profile traffic and road safety measures; crime prevention measures; illegal immigration counter measures; and security operations against terrorists.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the rule of engagement in relation to pursuit of a suspect, either by vehicle or foot, differs by each incident discovered or reported. A driver of an official Garda vehicle has certain authority over the control of the vehicle unless otherwise directed. A member on foot pursuit is expected to deliver a professional service in resolving the situation that warranted the pursuit. I have also been informed by the Garda authorities that the issue of overtime in a pursuit situation is not a matter that would cause the pursuing member of the Garda Síochána to question his or her action on a motive of monetary gain.
