SECURITY COSTS for the visits of President Obama and Queen Elizabeth were almost double the original estimate, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter told the Dáil.

Costs of €36 million were incurred, although it was originally thought they would amount to about €20 million.

“The Queen’s visit turned out to be a good deal longer than was originally anticipated and was most successful,” he added.

Mr Shatter said that whatever outstanding funding the Garda required, arising from the visits, was being provided.

Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Dara Calleary asked Mr Shatter to confirm the €36 million had been provided in full to the Garda and that no other programme had been affected.

Mr Shatter said the €36 million expenditure had been incurred within the Garda because it was not anticipated that either visit would take place.

“During the course of the year, the Garda has effected efficiencies in the manner in which it has delivered its services,” he added.

“The Garda has fully maintained all necessary frontline services and has been particularly effective.” Mr Shatter said about €15 million of an additional €27.4 million allocated was directly in respect of the visits, and the remaining sums were not required by the Garda because of the efficiencies that had been effected during the year.

The Minister said the visits had not been planned by the time the Garda estimates for 2011 were finalised and a supplementary estimate would resolve the funding issue. In the lead-up to the supplementary estimate, he had engaged very actively with Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin regarding the costs involved.

“I am very pleased that it has been brought to a successful conclusion and that the funding required has been made available,’’ Mr Shatter added.

Mr Shatter paid tribute to the Garda Commissioner, the officers and members of the Garda.