Mr. Martin Callinan:

I thank the Senator. I think we have to make a distinction here between what was happening at the conference, which was being hosted in Dublin Castle, and what was happening on the march. Clearly, I gave permission for my members to wear their uniforms at the conference, and rightly so. As the Senator is aware, our President hosted a reception and our members joined with colleagues in Áras an Uachtaráin in sharing in the President's hospitality. The conference was over on the Friday and the march did not start until the Saturday. I mentioned in my last point, before we got on to this subject, that An Garda Síochána is apolitical and members of An Garda Síochána on duty and in uniform police these parades. Regardless of how peaceful they are, there is a requirement in regard to the safety of the public and of the marchers and there are perhaps public order issues in terms of people who may not share the same views as some of the participants.

All parades require a policing presence. How would it be if members of the Force in full uniform are marching and taking part in that parade and the Garda who are charged with responsibility for law and order are walking alongside? Straight away, there is confusion and issues will arise. That is not something I was prepared to accept at that point. That is the distinction I make between those two events.