Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
1347. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice the additional Garda presence at Dublin Airport on the weekend beginning 4 June 2022 to supervise the security queues through departures; and the number of gardaí on duty at the airport on 4 June 2022, compared to 5 June 2021, 30 May 2020 and 1 June 2019. [30336/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, responsibility for the management of security screening at departures in Dublin Airport rests with the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and neither I, as Minister for Justice, nor the Garda Commissioner have any role in airport management operations or the supervision of security screening queues.
Additionally, I am advised that the Airport Police Service (APS) is responsible for general policing and aviation security duties at the State airports in Dublin and Cork. The APS is employed by DAA and authorised by the Minister for Transport under the Airport and Air Navigation Acts. Airport Police duties include responding to emergency situations, traffic management and dealing with the preservation of good order to ensure all users of State airports can enjoy a safe environment while working or travelling through the airports.
The Deputy will also be aware that the deployment of Garda members to operational policing duties is a matter for the Garda Commissioner by law and that, as Minister, I play no role in these independent functions. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use.
I am advised that An Garda Síochána's Dublin Airport station is part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North Division. For operational reasons, the number of members on duty at any one time at Dublin Airport station is not publicly unavailable.
