Mr. Drew Harris:

Absolutely. The Constitution refers to peaceful protest and there is a significant amount of jurisprudence in respect of the right of assembly. We respect that in a democratic society citizens can gather. The public order Act to which the Senator referred, and particularly section 8 thereof, which allows directions to be given to a protest, is very useful legislation in terms of following through on breaches. I have no expectation, however, that members of An Garda Síochána should, in effect, stand and be the subject of hours of abuse. Arrests, if appropriate, should be made at the time.