FG seeks clarification on cost of special Garda operations

Fine Gael has demanded to know if the cost of Garda resources to the May Day events and the visit of George W Bush will result in a cutback in manpower.

An additional €12m was allocated to gardaí for operations relating to the EU presidency, but the May Day operation cost €7m and the Bush visit came in on just under €5m, effectively using up the entire additional budget.

This means that the cost of other high level meetings and functions during the six-month presidency would have to come from normal Garda resources.

Fine Gael's Justice spokesman, Jim O'Keeffe, said that further cutbacks would be unacceptable.

His main concern is that these additional operations will mean that there will be less money available for ordinary policing duties.