To ask the Minister for Home Affairs whether he is aware that it is becoming quite a common practice in the Dublin Market and county fairs for members of a labour organisation to approach the owners of live stock, picket them, and prevent by violence, as in the case of Mr. Hammond at the September fair of Tinahely, the sale of animals offered, the reason alleged being that the owners of the live stock had in their employment certain workers who did not belong to a labour organisation. If in the absence of trade dispute such picketing, apart from methods of violence, is lawful, and, if not, what steps are to be taken to prevent the recurrence of such practices, which are detrimental to the farming industry and constitute a serious attack on the liberty of the citizen.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - DUBLIN AND TINAHELY MARKETS.
RISTEARD MAC LIAM
MINISTER for HOME AFFAIRS (Mr. Kevin O'Higgins)
As regards the Dublin Market, two constables of the Dublin Metropolitan Police have for some time past been on duty in the vicinity of the Markets every Thursday, and I am informed that no incident requiring police interference has occurred No police reports are at present available for places like Tinahely, where the Deputy suggests a sale was prevented by violence, and I shall be glad if the Deputy will supply me with full details of the occurrence. On the broad question of peaceful picketing, I am not in a position to advise the Deputy without further particulars of the practices of which he complains as the issue is a legal one.