Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. I welcome the Commissioner. I listened intently to the contributors who are members of the committee and the Commissioner's response and statement.

Nobody can condone the violence, rioting and looting that took place on the streets last week. While some people might be afraid of the labels "thugs" and "scum", I certainly am not. Some of that behaviour was certainly not what a civilised society would expect. The Commissioner has my full support in relation to having his officers apply the rigours of the law in dealing with any future incidents that may occur.

The Commissioner stated that while the officers were managing the protests, which had the potential to be volatile, rioting and looting was taking place in other parts of the city. Can the Commissioner differentiate between the groups of protestors and the riots and looters? Were those involved in the protesting near the scene, which the Commissioner said were peaceful but had the potential to be volatile, the same individuals who were involved in the looting and the burning of the Luas or the rioting and looting of businesses?