Michael McNamara
Ceist:
543. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice the cost to the Exchequer of the additional Garda presence at Dublin Airport on the weekend beginning 4 June 2022 to supervise the security queues through departures; and if that cost was reimbursed to her Department by the Dublin Airport Authority. [36128/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra
I have contacted the Garda authorities for the information requested by the Deputy, however this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once this information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 543 of 5 July 2022 where you sought:
“The cost to the Exchequer of the additional Garda presence at Dublin Airport on the weekend beginning 4 June 2022 to supervise the security queues through departures; and if that cost was reimbursed to her Department by the Dublin Airport Authority”.
As you will recall, I had sought the information you requested from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.
As you will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána which includes the allocation of human resources; and is also the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote under the provisions of the Act. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
As outlined to the Deputy previously, the management of security screening queues through Dublin Airport is an operational matter for the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA). The Airport Police Service (APS), an operational unit of DAA, which is authorised by the Minister of Transport under the Air Navigation Acts, has responsibility for general policing and aviation security duties at the State airports in Dublin and Cork.
Neither I nor the Garda Commissioner have any role in, or responsibility for, security screening in departures areas of the State airports.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities, therefore, that the question of reimbursement does not arise, as Gardaí from Dublin Airport station were carrying out their statutory functions and duties in accordance An Garda Síochána’s mission of 'Keeping People Safe'. No Gardaí were involved in security screening - the role of Gardaí was focused on public safety and public reassurance.
