Gardai going to be ‘stretched’ for EU presidency

Gardai are going to be “stretched” as Ireland holds the EU Presidency next year as senior figures indicated concerns over manpower and the overtime budget.

The presidency of the Council of the European Union rotates among the member states in turn every six months.

Ireland will assume the presidency between July 1 and December 31 2026, and will therefore have to host various formal and informal meetings of different Council bodies throughout that period.

The Oireachtas Justice Committee was told on Tuesday that gardai have asked Government to ensure that EU Presidency events do not clash with other major events around the country.

New Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly told the committee: “The biggest concern for us is around providing manpower.”

He also said that there will be “pressures around resources, equipment and capability” relating to the EU Presidency.

“What I can say is we have already made significant procurement purchases around equipment, vehicles, very technical specialist things that we need, for example, counter drone (technology) – we’ve done a lot of work in that area.”

Mr Kelly said work has been under way for “quite a significant time” around training for motorcycle escorts, close protection officers, and increasing firearm capability.

“Obviously, one of the big things for us will be around overtime.

“We’ve got to keep the lights on all around the country with all the regular policing.”

The Commissioner said there would nee to be a “significant” additional amount of overtime.

Mr Kelly said procured equipment will continue to be used by the service after the EU Presidency.

Deputy Commissioner Shawna Coxon told the committee: “Business as usual is going to be a challenge. I’m not going to sit here and say that it’s not.

“We are working on looking at everything that is available to us.

“We have historically relied on things like bringing in people on their days off, overtime, etc, to support these things.”

She added: “The calendar, as you know, isn’t fully set yet, but I want to assure you that we have been working with Government to try to ensure that there is no conflict in terms of having two large events on (the same date), whether it’s part of the EU calendar or not – for example, the Irish Open, we’re not quite sure what that’s going to look like next year.

“And we’re working with Government to try to ensure that there’s there’s not two major events across the country at the same time, because we are going to be stretched, and we are aware of that.

“So certainly, as those plans crystallise into in terms of what is needed, where what the threat level is, where the locations are, and what’s required, we’ll be working those through.”

Ms Coxon said she did not know the full garda budget for the EU presidency, but key items such as motorcade capability had been procured through the Department of Foreign Affair as the lead agency.

“It’s not as dire as it may seem. So most of the budget that we’ll be looking out will be in relation to overtime, etc.”

An Garda Siochana’s chief corporate officer, Siobhan Toale, said that it the organisation had made submissions on a “very clear work plan”.

“We have sought funding to meet our needs. That process is under way, and we’re expecting a response in terms of those needs by the end of November.”

Ms Coxon said An Garda Siochana has also learned from agencies in other EU member states that have hosted the presidency about the challenges that arose.