asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that exporters of horses to the Continent were recently subjected to much unjust publicity at the port of Dublin by publicity agents and a small section of people, which resulted in breaches of the peace; and that this publicity is damaging the prestige of the country, and, if so, if he will take steps to protect exporters of live horses by ensuring that such people will not be allowed to carry on this anti-national campaign.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Exports of Horses: Dublin Port Incidents.
33.
The only aspect of this matter that may be thought to come within the functions of the Minister for Justice is the maintenance of order and the prevention of breaches of the peace.
As to this, the position is that the North Wall Extension, where the breaches of the peace are alleged to have taken place, is the property of the Dublin Port and Docks Board. Harbour Police are employed by the Board to ensure observance of the Board's bye-laws and of the law generally. The services of the Garda Síochána are called on only in exceptional circumstances, though they are, of course, available to give assistance at any time if called on to do so by the Harbour Police.
It is a matter for the Dublin Port and Docks Board, or for the harbour police on the spot, to decide whether groups of demonstrators, or individual persons whose conduct is liable to lead to breaches of the peace, should be admitted to the North Wall Extension.