A “major disparity” has been identified in current estimated figures provided by the PSNI on costs to provide explosives escorts for the mining industry.

Members of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council previously agreed to write to the Department for Infrastructure, the Department of Justice and the PSNI after adopting a motion around potential costs for explosives escorts.

The Minister for Infrastructure acknowledged the “contentious nature of this complex application and the widespread concerns … and therefore took the decision for a Public Inquiry”.

This will independently consider the views of stakeholders, including the local community and other government departments, and “robustly scrutinise the information provided by all interested parties”.

Chief Executive Alison McCullagh advised members may wish to consider making representations on costings to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for inclusion within the forthcoming Public Inquiry.

The Minister for Justice stated: “The supervision of civil explosives is an operational matter for the PSNI, and this matter should be referred to the Chief Constable.”

It was further stressed the Department of Justice doesn’t hold any information on costs of escorting explosives for the mining or other industries, but advised the PSNI is undertaking a strategic review around the mining industry, which is expected to take a number of months and assist in determining how the movement and security of explosives is managed on a longer-term basis.

Meanwhile, a response from police also referenced the review, which they envisage will be completed by the end of March, and described estimated costings of explosives escorting as “variable and difficult to establish”.

However, an approximate figure was provided, in the region of £285 per initial escort, based on two officers, and lasting around five hours.

Councillor Emmet McAleer, Independent, described the reply from the Department for Infrastructure as “completely pithy and dismissive”.

He proposed taking up the offer to correspond on costings ahead of the Public Inquiry, but added in respect of the PSNI response: “I’m having difficulty believing the figure is an accurate representation … completely at odds with what we were told.

‘Contrasts significantly’

“The latest figure contrasts significantly with [the] costs incurred by policing the exploration works for a period of 10 months [that were invoiced by the PSNI].”

Councillor McAleer pointed out these costs – £437,610 – were previously invoiced by the PSNI for services during that time, and if the current figure offered applied at the time, the bill should have been £23,386, or 1,534 escorts.

He continued: “The new figure is seriously incomplete. The Council should seek clarification, including whether this involves essential vehicular convoy support, and if air support is envisaged, and if a projected costing is available for air support?

“The Council should ask whether and at what level policing security is required should explosives remain on site, and at the proposed times of twice daily blasting, every day of the year for the next 25 years.”

He concluded: “This isn’t an operational matter. It is very much a policy change by the PSNI, seemingly without consideration of the cost to the taxpayer.”

Seconding these points, Ulster Unionist Councillor John McClaughry felt there is a “major disparity [related to costs]”.

He continued: “Both Ministers have deferred to the pending police report, and it’s up to us as a council to ensure that’s presented to the inquiry.

“There’s a massive difference in what we heard the costs would be.”

He queried the statutory requirement for an explosives escort, and how much cost is taken out of the security budget, in respect of the safety of the officers involved under counter-terrorism.

Independent Councillor Eamon Keenan noted the Minister for Justice pointing out security for transportation of explosives is an operational matter for the PSNI, which “again, is the unaccountable police force making decisions without public input”.

He also referred to a mining website, saying it is: “Open for business as police are now providing the free security and have got round the counterterrorism issues.”

He continued: “The PSNI say they are carrying out a report, yet mining companies are publishing that they’ve got the go-ahead.

“What’s going on here? Is the report done and dusted, or is it ongoing?”

The proposals were agreed without dissent.