Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy knows, the statutory functions of An Garda Síochána include the preservation of peace and public order, the protection of life and property, and vindication of the human rights of individuals. Accordingly, gardaí have attended routinely at water meter installations where this has been necessary for the performance of these functions. This, regrettably, has necessitated the diversion of gardaí from other duties in the community. I regret that.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to comment on the work of An Garda Síochána, carried out in very difficult circumstances, in recent months when handling these protests. I am sure every Member of this House who is committed to democratic principles and the rule of law will join me in that.

In commenting on this matter, it is important that I make a distinction between the type of protest we had a couple of Saturdays ago, when tens of thousands of people across the country protested with dignity against water charges, facilitated by members of An Garda Síochána, and other forms of protest carried out by a small number of people in which individuals have been intimidated and prevented from going about their lawful business. The chanting of the words "peaceful protest" does not disguise the fact that intimidation is not peaceful, bullying is not peaceful, threatening behaviour is not peaceful, harassing people is not peaceful, throwing bricks at gardaí and Garda vehicles is not peaceful, targeting individual members of the Garda on social networks is not peaceful, and detaining the Tánaiste against her will is not peaceful. The fact that an associate of the Deputy has said he has no problem with detaining a person against his or her will says much more than I can about the reality of what has been going on.

There are, of course, well established procedures under which anyone can complain against the behaviour of an individual member of An Garda Síochána through the Garda Ombudsman Commission. In my view, however, it is standing reality on its head to suggest that the behaviour of the gardaí has been what has led to trouble at protests. Instead, a small minority with their own agenda have set out to cause as much trouble as they could without regard to the rights of others.

See this speech in context