asked the Minister for Justice if the arrests of pickets in Dublin yesterday and to-day arising out of the milk stoppage were made by the Gardaí on his specific instruction.
Private Notice Question— - Arrest of Pickets.
Mr. Boland
These arrests were made in pursuance of the general duty of the Garda Síochána to uphold the law. Specific instructions were not necessary.
It would not be proper to discuss the arrests made yesterday and to-day but I think I should make clear what I am advised the general law is.
The law does not allow people to congregate in such number or manner as to intimidate others from doing what those others have a lawful right to do. The law also intervenes to prevent meetings and conduct which may be likely to lead to a breach of the peace. A citizen driving a car, with or without milk, is entitled to pass and repass along the roads without being stopped and interrogated by other private citizens. Further, where producers (whether of milk or other suplies or goods) withhold supplies or goods from distributors, there is no question of a trade dispute with the distributor, and it is not within the law to picket the distributor's premises. Even in the case of a valid trade dispute a picket may not be of such numbers as to be calculated to intimidate; it is thereby rendered unlawful.
It is well that these matters should be clearly understood.
Do I understand from the Minister that he is giving the Attorney-General's opinion?
Mr. Boland
Yes. I say that I am advised that that is the law.