Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. I welcome Mr. Harris's statement in response to Deputy Brophy that he will not resign. He has my full confidence and support. Some of the people who have called for his resignation in recent times have used violent disorder as a political tactic in the past. I will put it no further than that.

On a general issue, the Constitution does, as the Commissioner stated, guarantee the right to freedom of assembly as a fundamental right of the citizen, but it is peaceful assembly. There has been a significant increase in the amount of disorder and breaches of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. I draw to the attention of the Commissioner footage I saw of protesters in Ballybrack who were screaming in the face of gardaí that they were scumbags and other, less polite, words. In effect, those protesters were let away with it. This House has been surrounded on both sides by massively disorderly demonstrations. I ask the Commissioner, and, perhaps, the Minister for Justice, to indicate that the right of assembly and the right of protest is peaceful protest and nothing but that. Does the Commissioner agree?