Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Commissioner, the deputy Commissioner and the assistant Commissioner for coming before us. I appreciate it has been a very challenging series of days for them and their members, so I appreciate them coming before us and providing us with their opening statement. The Minister earlier indicated to the House that the Commissioner has presented a report to her on the events that transpired on Thursday. Will he outline elements of that report to the committee?

My other questions relate to the accusations regarding the lack of a timely response by An Garda Síochána, perceived or otherwise. The Commissioner indicated in his opening statement that the first sign of trouble occurred at 4.30 p.m., when the Luas was blocked. Between then and the larger, fire attack, as he referred to it, at 6.30 p.m., approximately how many officers were on duty in their various capacities? Were the protestors, rioters and looters corralled during the course of the activities in which they were engaged throughout the late afternoon and early evening? Were O'Connell Street, Henry Street and Talbot Street book-ended? They are important questions I have not heard anybody mention. When we talk about the circumstances being "uncontrollable", and I fully accept the uncontrollable nature of what transpired, I have a general question about the overall safety of the general public. If that group had spontaneously decided to relocate themselves, would the Garda have been in the position to stop them?