Ms Angela Willis:

On training, in 2022 we had 294 people trained in public order tactics in the Dublin region. We have now increased that to 619. We are increasing the number in line with the increased demand for the type of policing in question. Our public order policing style entails a graduated response. We operate having regard to everybody’s human rights. It is a very challenging environment. We often deal with conflicting or competing human rights that we have to uphold on all sides. The right to protest peacefully can extend to disruption and expressing views that are not popular. As the Deputy has said, there is international case law and we must be guided by that. We must tailor our response in accordance with the guidance here and abroad.

I take the Deputy’s point on blocking roads. We always make an assessment of the right thing to do at any given time. It can be very difficult for the members on the ground but they have been trained and have the equipment. We may not make an arrest at a particular event but that does not mean we will not make one afterwards. Last year, we arrested 54 people in the course of the protest activity in the Dublin region. Not all of them were arrested at the protest but many were arrested subsequently on the basis of criminal activity observed during the protest. We will never do something that will escalate it to the extent that we would cause risk to any innocent person at a protest. That is what can happen. If we come in too hard or heavy at a particular time, we end up with a riotous situation. We could never take that approach. There is always another opportunity to bring the people to justice.