Joe Higgins
Ceist:475 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost of security arrangements for the visit of US President, Mr. George W. Bush, to Shannon Airport on 1 March 2006. [9344/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 7 March 2006
Ceisteanna (437, 438, 439)
Joe Higgins
Ceist:476 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí deployed as part of the security arrangements for the visit of US President, Mr. George W. Bush, to Shannon Airport on 1 March 2006. [9345/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraJoe Higgins
Ceist:477 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he had prior knowledge of the visit of US President, Mr. George W. Bush, to Shannon Airport on 1 March 2006. [9346/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 475 to 477, inclusive, together.
As the Deputies will be aware, it is standard practice for visiting Heads of State to make the Government and the Garda Síochána aware of any intention to visit this State, and this practice was adhered to with regard to President Bush's recent stopover. It is not policy to discuss specific matters of security for the protection of visiting Heads of State to Ireland. The costs associated with implementing the security operation for this visit are still being collated.