Terence Flanagan
Question:986 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the Occupy Dame Street protest, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18468/12]
View answerWednesday, 18 April 2012
Questions (969, 970)
Patrick Nulty
Question:992 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied that the recent removal by An Garda Síochána of the Occupy Dame Street camp, Dublin, was carried out within proper Garda procedure and due regard for the health and safety of the camp participants; if he will confirm whether the Garda armed response unit was present and if so, if he is satisfied that this was necessary in view of the fact that the camp was unarmed and peaceful; if he is satisfied that proper eviction notice was provided to the camp; if An Garda Síochána has a protocol for dealing with peaceful protests and if he is satisfied that this was adhered to on this occasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18549/12]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 986 and 992 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the situation concerning the protest encampment referred to had been monitored by An Garda Síochána for some time. The group in question were encamped on private property and there had been ongoing liaison between An Garda Síochána, the group in question, the Central Bank and other interested parties. Policing of the protest and the deployment of appropriate Garda resources was, of course, at all times an operational matter for An Garda Síochána. For obvious reasons, it is not the practice to disclose operational details relating to the deployment of An Garda Síochána.
I am further informed that An Garda Síochána requested the protesters to leave the encampment, particularly in the light of health and safety and public safety issues arising at the site. A positive response was not received to this request. Against this background, the Gardaí removed the encampment, in accordance with the provisions of Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 as amended by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2002.