Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman. So much has been covered and commented on and some of it may seem repetitive but I will try to go a little further with the questions. I have about six questions and I will name which witness each is directed to so if someone can take note of that it will help us move more effectively than just opening them to the floor.

To the deputy commissioner, IHREC has prepared a report on the enforcement of emergency Covid-19 powers and how it has disproportionately affected young people and we have just heard similar from Mr. Herrick. I know the need for different, disaggregated data, etc. has been talked about but is there currently, or should there be, data on the number of Garda interactions with individuals which tracks all prohibited grounds of discrimination under the Equal Status Act? Protests were mentioned so I want to ask a question around the protests and the activity and movements of the far-right groups and again that is directed to the deputy commissioner.

Is there a particular strategy that is employed by the Garda in dealing with those protests? As an outside observer, apart from that awful incident on Grafton Street, it appears that there is not as much policing of those groups as is there of other protests or other groups in general. Ms McMahon mentioned the four Es. When I think of these particular groups, which are protesting to publicise resisting enforcement, I wonder how the first three Es can ever be deployed. The whole purpose and point of these groups in attending a protest is the complete opposite of what Ms McMahon says is being promoted by the four Es approach.

There are a great quantity of data on the use of fixed-charge fines. Whether one agrees or disagrees with those charges being applied, the question that arises for me is whether they were applied as proportionately to those who broke the restrictions at the particular marches I mentioned as they were so liberally used elsewhere. For example, up until May, 2,910 fixed-charge fines were issued in Ballymun but only 75 were issued in Dún Laoghaire. My fear is that the issue of policing discrimination and bias is already built into the decision-making process, going right back to when the decision is made on where and whom to police. Will Ms McMahon comment on that?

My next question is for the witnesses from the ICCL and relates to the lack of disaggregated data. Mr. Herrick said that this is making it difficult to measure the disproportionate impact the public health restrictions during the pandemic have had on vulnerable members of society. Will he comment on how impact assessments can be carried out on the groups worst affected by the pandemic and unrepresented in the provision of services and supports?

I have a number of further questions for the representatives of An Garda Síochána but I will confine myself to one because of the time constraint. It relates to ethnic minority women and the fact they make up a disproportionate number of the victims of gender-based violence. It can be assumed that this group has also experienced the national rise in domestic abuse during the lockdown and Covid restrictions. Will the witnesses speak about the strategy implemented under the Garda's Operation Faoiseamh to provide support and services to disadvantaged ethnic minority groups, including migrants, Travellers, direct provision residents and so on?

My next question is for the witnesses from the AGSI and relates to the geographical distribution of Garda checkpoints. Is there information on the number and geographical spread of Covid-related checkpoints? This ties into my earlier point about where we choose to police.

I also have a question for Dr. Lunn. In the absence of detailed consultations, does he think the Government did enough in commissioning, gathering and analysing relevant data relating to the social and behavioural impacts of the pandemic response in Ireland?

Finally, will Mr. Geoghegan comment on what remedial action he considers to be required by the Government to mend the fundamental societal challenges that have been caused by the pandemic, which he outlined so well in his contribution?

I hope I did not speak too quickly and that all my questions were clear.