With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 22, and 23 together.
The number of persons arrested for picketing Leinster House was 176. The number arrested for picketing Government Buildings was four.
As the cases are sub judice, I do not think it appropriate to make any more detailed reference to the legal position than to make the factual statement that, in all cases, notices under section 28 of the Offences against the State Act had been issued before the arrests were made.
Although section 28 refers to meetings or processions in or through a street within half a mile of Leinster House, it is not the practice to interfere with demonstrations that are not directed at Leinster House. Accordingly, while the picket on Government Buildings was within half a mile of Leinster House, the intervention of the Garda Síochána in that particular case was not in accordance with the usual practice and those concerned in that case have already been informed that it is not proposed to continue with the charges against them.
As regards future action, I do not think that there can be any possible room for misunderstanding of the Government's attitude, which is that no organisation or group should be allowed to demonstrate outside Leinster House. The Government regard this as a matter involving the right of Parliament to function freely and therefore as a matter on which there can be no compromise.
