Taoiseach Enda Kenny has accused anti-water charge protesters who shouted abuse at President Michael D Higgins of “disgraceful behaviour”.
Extra security would be provided for the President if required, Mr Kenny told a Dáil committee meeting on the revised estimates for his department for 2015.
Asked by Fianna Fáil TD Seán Fleming if his department had had discussions with gardaí about the matter, Mr Kenny said there had been discussions between the President’s office and the Garda. He said it was a matter in the first instance for the Garda to deal with security issues, terrorist issues or protests that go way beyond the norm.
Centenarians’ bounty
He told TDs the revised estimate for the President’s establishment this year was €3.44 million, with €1.14 million set aside for the centenarians’ bounty.
“Based on last year’s figures and recent trends it is estimated that approximately 400 centenarians will receive the bounty in 2015, although it is impossible to be precise,” Mr Kenny said.
On reaching the age of 100 individuals are entitled to a payment of €2,450 from the President.
Mr Kenny said aside from the President’s establishment his department’s estimates for the year covered €27 million for his own department, €15 million for the office of the Attorney General, €52.8 million for the Central Statistics Office, €37.8 million for the office of the DPP and €30 million for the office of the Chief State Solicitor. Some €2 million had been set aside for the Fennelly inquiry, the commission to examine the taping of telephone calls at Garda stations.
