Written Answers Nos. 196-207
196. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of lifting the moratorium on filling school management positions at primary school level, that is, assistant principal 1 and assistant principal 2 positions. [38763/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2017 allowed for the commencement of restoration of middle management posts as part of an agreed distributed leadership model and meant lifting the rigidity of the longstanding moratorium on these posts at primary and post-primary levels. This recognises the key role school leadership has in promoting a school environment which is welcoming, inclusive and accountable.
€2.75m was allocated in Budget 2017 to restore middle management positions i.e. the equivalent of approximately 1,300 middle management posts (Assistant Principal I and Assistant Principal II) at both Primary and Post-Primary (2,600 in total).
The lifting of the moratorium is an initial phase in the restoration of middle management posts and any future improvements to the number of posts allocated will be dependent on budgetary demands.
The estimated cost of lifting the moratorium on posts of responsibility and restoring them to pre-moratorium levels at primary level would be in the order of €19m.
197. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of eligible and concessionary customers, respectively, transported in each financial year since 2010 and to date in 2018, by sub-division in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38767/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2017/18 school year over 117,000 children, including over 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually at a total cost of almost €190 million in 2017.
The purpose of the School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
In general, children are eligible for school transport if they meet the distance criteria and are attending their nearest school. A minimum of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, is required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, within reasonable cost limits.
The information sought by the Deputy is set out below:
Total Number of Children on School Transport 2011 to end 2017/18 School Year
|
School Year |
Total Number |
Mainstream |
Special Educational Needs |
|
2011 |
113,000 |
105,000 |
8,000 |
|
2012 |
112,000 |
104,000 |
8,000 |
|
2013 |
114,000 |
105,000 |
9,000 |
|
2014 |
113,000 |
103,000 |
10,000 |
|
2015 |
114,000 |
104,000 |
10,000 |
|
2016 |
116,000 |
104,000 |
12,000 |
|
2017 |
116,500 |
104,000 |
12,500 |
|
End 17/18 |
117,455 |
104,700 |
12,750 |
Details of Mainstream Eligible v Concessionary Children 2011 to end 2017/18 School Year
|
School Year |
Eligible Children |
Concessionary Tickets (% is a % of Total Tickets) |
Total Tickets |
|
|
2011 |
99,878 |
4,854 |
4.6% |
104,732 |
|
2012 |
95,197 |
8,949 |
8.6% |
104,146 |
|
2013 |
92,454 |
12,370 |
11.8% |
104,824 |
|
2014 |
84,098 |
18,688 |
18.2% |
102,786 |
|
2015 |
81,862 |
22,208 |
21.3% |
104,070 |
|
2016 |
78,912 |
25,242 |
24.2% |
104,154 |
|
2017 |
77,500 |
26,775 |
25.6% |
104,275 |
|
End 17/18 |
77,474 |
27,230 |
26% |
104,704 |
The remainder of the information as requested by the Deputy is not readily available in the format requested and my officials are requesting this information from Bus Éireann.
198. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the proposed reconfiguration process in school patronage; if school patronage surveys have been undertaken; if so, if he will report on the results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38773/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I developed the new schools reconfiguration for diversity process, which is aimed at providing more multi-denominational and non-denominational schools across the country, in line with the choices of families and school communities and the Programme for Government commitment for 400 such schools by 2030.
There are two Phases to the new process – the Identification Phase and the Implementation Phase.
The Identification Phase is currently underway in 16 areas nationwide. Each of the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) have selected an initial pilot area within their district, which they consider, based on census data and local knowledge, there exists a demand for more diversity in educational provision. Surveys of parents of pre-school children have been carried out in these areas by the relevant City/County Childcare Committee on behalf of the ETBs. ETBs, having analysed the survey results, draw up comprehensive reports on the position in relation to each of the 16 pilot areas. This forms the basis of discussions with the most prevalent patron/landowner in the area (the Catholic Bishop in most cases) concerning the transfer of patronage of an existing school(s) to meet that demand. The response by the landowner/patron to any identified demand for greater diversity is included in the report prepared by the ETB, for submission to my Department, who will subsequently publish the reports. The publication of reports is expected to occur shortly.
Following the publication of the first round of reports, the Schools Reconfiguration process will move into the Implementation Phase. This Phase involves consultation with local school communities on accommodating demand for diversity by transferring patronage of an existing school to a new multi-/non-denominational patron. Draft protocols for the Implementation Phase are at an advanced stage of development and consultation with Catholic Church representatives is ongoing.
A second round of town selections and surveys of pre-school parents will be organised by ETBs when the outcomes of the initial round of pilot surveys have been assessed and any necessary adjustments made in the process.
I believe that this new Schools Reconfiguration process, which involves the transfer of live schools, has the potential to significantly increase patronage diversity in our school system.
199. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the funding for a new school building for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 22; the stage this project is at; and the timeline for the releasing of the funding for same. [38776/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a building project for the school to which he refers is included in my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme.
In this regard, a schedule of accommodation, for the purposes of the school's project brief was furnished to the school authorities. In the context of progressing the project to the next stage, a technical site visit is necessary and the details are currently being confirmed with the school patron.
200. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding Youthreach services in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38825/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the current service agreement for the delivery of the Youthreach Programme between Kerry ETB and the Kerry Diocesan Youth Services (KDYS) is due to expire on 31December 2018. Kerry ETB plans to move to the direct delivery of the programme from 1 January 2019. I understand that Kerry ETB is currently engaging with KDYS to prepare for the transfer of staff. Kerry ETB has also kept my Department informed of developments and has been in contact with the union representing some of the staff. The ETB aims to ensure the smoothest transition possible for both staff and students and it is important that KDYS continue to support the process through the provision of relevant information to the ETB.
201. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the progression of a school building project for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38885/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that my Department is presently finalising the acquisition of 0.43 acres of land adjacent to the school in question's playing field. Additionally, I can also confirm that agreement has been reached in principle between officials from South Dublin County Council and my Department on the acquisition of an additional portion of land totalling 0.96 acres which also adjoins the playing field.
These acquisitions will serve to enhance the facilities currently available to the school while also supporting any potential options for the future development of the school going forward.
202. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date on a project (details supplied); if a site has been identified for this project; if the new school will be built and open by 2020; if not, if he is planning interim arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38886/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, I recently announced the opening of 42 new schools over the next four years. This announcement followed nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the current and future need for primary and post-primary school places across the country, and included provision for the school to which he refers.
Following on from the announcement, the locations for all of the schools are being determined as part of the site acquisition process.
In line with the policy on the use of State assets (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circulars 11/15 and 17/16), my Department is, in the first instance, seeking to maximise the use of sites already in my ownership and of available properties in the ownership of other State bodies, where these are considered suitable.
In addition, as part of my Department's ongoing engagement with Local Authorities in respect of statutory planning processes and under the Memorandum of Understanding on school site acquisitions, my Department is considering other potentially suitable site options, including appropriately zoned sites, to serve the relevant areas.
Taking into account all of the above, decisions will then be made as part of the site acquisition process in relation to appropriate sites for all the schools announced, including the school in question, and their locations will be confirmed as soon as possible.
The current focus for the Department is to prioritise the 17 schools opening in 2019 so that patrons can be appointed and accommodation solutions put in place as soon as possible. The announcement in April 2018 provides a better lead in period for planning and delivering accommodation solutions for the schools that are due to be established from September 2020 onwards.
The Department’s Design and Build Programme will be the main delivery mechanism for providing permanent accommodation for the 42 new schools.
203. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason holiday visas for persons (details supplied) were refused when evidence of substantial cash reserves, pension, property and business interests were given; if the file will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38340/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa applications referred to were refused by the Visa Office in New Delhi on 17 May 2018. Appeals were subsequently made and refused on 16 August 2018. The decisions were communicated to the applicants along with the refusal reasons.
The original refusals were on a number of grounds including financial grounds. The applicants addressed the financial grounds in the subsequent appeals. However, the visa appeals officer was not satisfied that they demonstrated strong economic, social or family reasons to return to their home country following their proposed stay.
Only one appeal is permitted per application. It remains open to the applicants to make a fresh application. If such applications are made, the applicants should bear in mind the refusal reasons communicated to them and be in a position to address the matters in the new applications.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to INIS (visamail@justice.ie).
204. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he plans to commence Part 9 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38364/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart 9 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 provides for a number of amendments to the Civil Registration Act 2004, all of which have yet to be commenced.
Sections 92, 93, 95 and 99 of the 2015 Act provide for the registration and re-registration of the birth of a donor-conceived child. These sections cannot be commenced until Parts 2 and 3 of the 2015 Act are brought into operation by the Minister for Health, who has indicated that he intends to commence these Parts in the autumn of 2018.
The commencement of other sections of Part 9 of the 2015 Act are dependent on provisions of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 being commenced by the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection. Officials from my Department, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, and the Department of Health are working to coordinate the scheduling of the commencement of these sections.
205. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timetable for the holding of referendums agreed on 26 September 2017 relating to blasphemy, woman’s life within the home and divorce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38634/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Thirty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution (Repeal of offence of publication or utterance of blasphemous matter) Bill 2018 was passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas on 20 September 2018. On 21 September 2018 the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government made a Referendum (Polling Day) Order appointing 26 October 2018 as the day upon which the referendum on the proposal contained in the Bill should take place.
It was the Government's intention that a referendum would also be held on that date to delete Article 41.2 of the Constitution which deals with a woman's life within the home. However, the decision of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality to undertake pre-legislative consideration of the General Scheme of the Bill to amend the Constitution on two dates this month has meant that this cannot happen. When the Committee's report on this matter becomes available, I will consider what further steps might be taken.
Under the timetable approved by Government on 26 September 2017, it is proposed to hold a referendum on divorce in June 2019. In that regard, the Government has decided to support the Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Divorce) Bill 2016, a Private Member's Bill introduced by Deputy (now Minister) Josepha Madigan. The Bill completed Committee Stage in the Dáil on 12 July 2017. I am currently considering the issues raised by Deputies at the Committee Stage debate on the Bill and I will bring proposals to Government in that regard in due course.
206. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in the drugs units in Ballymun and Finglas in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018. [38282/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
As the Deputy will be aware all Gardaí have a responsibility in the prevention and detection of criminal activity whether it be in the area of drug offences crime or otherwise. I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to pro-actively and resolutely tackle all forms of drug crime in this jurisdiction.
An Garda Síochána's National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, which was established in 2015, continues to lead out the policing strategy for tackling drugs by demand reduction and supply reduction strategies. In this regard the Bureau continues its policy of working with Garda Divisional Drug Units nationwide in tackling supply reduction at local level.
This work is further supported by other national units, including the Criminal Assets Bureau, in targeting persons involved in the illicit sale and supply of drugs. This approach allows for the co-ordinated use of Garda resources in tackling all forms of organised crime, including illicit drug activity nationwide. Multi-disciplinary approaches are also utilised to ensure that those involved in illicit activity are effectively targeted including through the use of the proceeds of crime legislation, money laundering legislation and the powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau. I am informed that this approach adopts good practice in implementing a co-ordinated use of Garda resources and in utilising available criminal law to its fullest extent in tackling all forms of organised crime, including drug trafficking.
We have also seen unprecedented international cooperation between An Garda Síochána and policing services in other jurisdictions leading to important arrests and drug seizures.
Underpinning all these measures is this Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. I am informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 2,200 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide.
This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources needed to him to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across the organisation including the Divisional Drugs Units.
Information in relation to Drugs Unit Personnel at the Divisional level, from 2008 onwards, as provided by the Garda Commissioner, is set out in the table following.
Drugs Unit Personnel By Division 2008-2018
Table
|
DIVISION |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
D.M.R. EAST |
10 |
9 |
13 |
15 |
13 |
13 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
11 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH |
25 |
31 |
34 |
32 |
31 |
27 |
16 |
25 |
21 |
19 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL |
15 |
16 |
15 |
18 |
20 |
13 |
20 |
20 |
30 |
14 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH |
28 |
26 |
30 |
31 |
30 |
23 |
17 |
16 |
17 |
14 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH CENTRAL |
22 |
18 |
19 |
16 |
13 |
11 |
19 |
19 |
13 |
9 |
|
D.M.R. WEST |
32 |
35 |
36 |
35 |
28 |
26 |
24 |
26 |
20 |
17 |
|
D.M.R. NSS |
2 |
6 |
||||||||
|
CARLOW/ KILDARE |
8 |
|||||||||
|
KILDARE |
5 |
6 |
7 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
|
|
LAOIS/OFFALY |
10 |
10 |
13 |
6 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
MEATH |
3 |
10 |
10 |
7 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
8 |
5 |
|
LONGFORD/ WESTMEATH |
12 |
|||||||||
|
WESTMEATH |
7 |
9 |
9 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
|
|
WICKLOW |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
11 |
0 |
|
CAVAN/ MONAGHAN |
11 |
10 |
11 |
8 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
DONEGAL |
8 |
10 |
8 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
8 |
7 |
4 |
4 |
|
LOUTH |
8 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
|
SLIGO/ LEITRIM |
8 |
8 |
2 |
7 |
8 |
6 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
14 |
|
WATERFORD/ KILKENNY |
15 |
|||||||||
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
8 |
11 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
5 |
7 |
4 |
5 |
|
|
TIPPERARY |
14 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
12 |
|
WATERFORD |
12 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
|
|
WEXFORD |
13 |
12 |
12 |
11 |
6 |
4 |
1 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
|
CORK CITY |
26 |
25 |
27 |
24 |
26 |
29 |
28 |
15 |
20 |
17 |
|
CORK NORTH |
8 |
8 |
9 |
7 |
9 |
9 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
CORK WEST |
6 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
|
KERRY |
11 |
11 |
10 |
10 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
9 |
7 |
9 |
|
LIMERICK |
14 |
19 |
22 |
20 |
12 |
11 |
12 |
14 |
12 |
11 |
|
CLARE |
6 |
6 |
9 |
9 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
GALWAY |
8 |
13 |
12 |
12 |
11 |
12 |
8 |
12 |
9 |
9 |
|
MAYO |
6 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
|
ROSCOMMON/ GALWAY EAST |
3 |
|||||||||
|
ROSCOMMON/ LONGFORD |
8 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
|
|
TOTAL |
341 |
355 |
378 |
361 |
310 |
270 |
253 |
258 |
256 |
236 |
Table(cont)
|
DIVISION |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
Mar-18 |
Apr-18 |
May-18 |
Jun-18 |
Jul-18 |
Aug-18 |
Sep-18 |
Oct-18 |
Nov-18 |
Dec-18 |
|
D.M.R. EAST |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
9 |
9 |
||||
|
D.M.R. NORTH |
19 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
||||
|
D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL |
14 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
||||
|
D.M.R. SOUTH |
16 |
14 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
||||
|
D.M.R. SOUTH CENTRAL |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
||||
|
D.M.R. WEST |
16 |
17 |
17 |
17 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
||||
|
D.M.R. NSS |
||||||||||||
|
CARLOW/ KILDARE |
||||||||||||
|
KILDARE |
9 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
||||
|
LAOIS/OFFALY |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
||||
|
MEATH |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
||||
|
LONGFORD/ WESTMEATH |
||||||||||||
|
WESTMEATH |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
||||
|
WICKLOW |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||||
|
CAVAN/ MONAGHAN |
5 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
||||
|
DONEGAL |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
||||
|
LOUTH |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
||||
|
SLIGO/ LEITRIM |
14 |
14 |
14 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
||||
|
WATERFORD/ KILKENNY |
||||||||||||
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
||||
|
TIPPERARY |
12 |
12 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
9 |
||||
|
WATERFORD |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
||||
|
WEXFORD |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
||||
|
CORK CITY |
17 |
16 |
16 |
15 |
15 |
18 |
18 |
18 |
||||
|
CORK NORTH |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
||||
|
CORK WEST |
5 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
||||
|
KERRY |
9 |
9 |
9 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
||||
|
LIMERICK |
8 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
||||
|
CLARE |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
||||
|
GALWAY |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
||||
|
MAYO |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
||||
|
ROSCOMMON/ GALWAY EAST |
||||||||||||
|
ROSCOMMON/ LONGFORD |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
||||
|
TOTAL |
234 |
231 |
232 |
224 |
223 |
235 |
231 |
230 |
For more general information on Garda Facts and Figures please see the link below
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
207. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on Garda actions surrounding the removal of occupiers from a location (details supplied); if the wearing of balaclavas by members of An Garda Síochána is lawful or appropriate in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38313/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that the manner in which any Garda operation is conducted is solely a matter for the Garda Commissioner and his management team and I, as Minister, have no role in this regard. Similarly, the deployment of all Garda resources, including personnel, is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
With regard to the incident in question, I am advised by the Garda authorities that a removal was conducted on behalf of the property’s owner, and was the subject of a High Court order directing people who had been occupying the premises to vacate it. The removal of individuals from the property was not conducted by An Garda Síochána, but by a private firm acting for the owner of the premises on foot of this High Court Order.
I am further advised that the role of the Gardaí who were in attendance at the scene that evening was to facilitate the High Court order being carried out safely, to ensure public order and to facilitate peaceful protest. I understand that Community Gardaí were deployed initially and were later supported by a Garda Public Order Unit.
I note Commissioner Harris’s recent statement in relation to the protest and he has requested a report from the Assistant Commissioner, Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR), to see what lessons can be learned from the event. I also note that the Policing Authority will be pursuing this matter with An Garda Síochána too.
The right to protest is a fundamental one in any democracy, and one which must be protected and facilitated. However, it is also a right that must be exercised peacefully and with respect for the rights of others. In this context, we must not lose sight of the fact that the members of An Garda Síochána were enforcing the law in what were very difficult circumstances.
I am aware that there has been some disquiet about members of the Public Order Unit wearing hoods. The Commissioner has said they should have been worn in conjunction with helmets and you will be familiar with public order police around the world wearing helmets in the course of their policing duties.
It is a sad fact and a worrying development that Gardaí, and particularly those who undertake public order policing, are frequently personally targeted and subjected to vile abuse and threats, particularly online. At the protest itself, the Gardaí were subject to sustained abuse, including in one incident, racist abuse, and I condemn that behaviour. Where behaviour crosses the line into criminality, it may be investigated but it would be preferable if the crime did not occur at all. I would appeal to people to recognise that Gardaí simply doing their jobs should not be subjected to threats, intimidation or abuse.
