Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Tuesday, 10 June 2025
Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration
Policing Matters: An Garda Síochána
2:00 am
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I am going to allow Deputy Cahill in very briefly. He is okay. On that note, I thank Commissioner Harris, Deputy Commissioner Shawna Coxon and Deputy Commissioner Justin Kelly. Our engagement was frank. I thank the witnesses for ensuring their responses were equally frank and to the point. They have indicated they will respond in writing to a number of queries that were raised. We would welcome those responses at the witnesses' earliest convenience.
There is one small point I urge the witnesses to consider when they return to their offices, which relates to policing in the vicinity of this building, particularly when announced protests are taking place. Quite frankly, it is embarrassing to drive through a wall of security and barricades only to see, in some instances, 50 people with placards on the street. I was a member of another parliament and most people here will have attended or visited other parliaments across Europe. It is very unusual to see such a security presence outside a parliament as regularly as we currently see it here. We know it is being done for the right policing reasons but I urge a rethink.
I wish the witnesses well. I particularly wish Commissioner Harris well on his upcoming retirement and whatever he decides to do subsequently. We will give the witnesses time to leave and then have a very quick private session.