The Government has paid out €8.1 million to date to cover the cost of security at the Corrib gas terminal in north Mayo, according to Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan.
In a reply this week to a written question tabled by Sinn Féin TD for Cavan-Monaghan Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Mr Lenihan said that the approximate cost of €8.1 million covered Garda salaries and overtime.
The special security has been provided to Shell contractors since work resumed on the refinery at Bellanaboy in October, 2006.
"I am further informed that there is in place a Garda policing plan within the Garda division in respect of the Garda Síochána's statutory duty to prevent breaches of the criminal law at Bellanaboy," Mr Lenihan said in his response.
"The allocation of resources to this policing plan is closely monitored and kept under constant review by local senior Garda management."
The Dublin Shell to Sea campaign has condemned what it calls a "no arrest" policy by gardaí in north Mayo. "The policy has resulted in ongoing violence against campaigners by gardaí, who are under instruction to use physical force rather than powers of arrest," the campaign said, before another demonstration planned for tomorrow at Bellanaboy. Gardaí have denied that any unnecessary physical force has been used.
Up to 200 gardaí were deployed for the last demonstration at Bellanaboy last month, at which a confrontation occurred between gardaí and protesters.
