Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

People have been aghast at the number of gardaí that can be found with no problem to attend the installation of water meters, when they are not available in my own community, for example, when women who have barring orders need them for protection. That is being commented upon throughout the length and breadth of the country by people of all persuasions.

I would like the Minister to comment, for example, on the behaviour of gardaí at the Mansion House the other day, when a woman was thrown violently against a kerb. She could have been seriously injured and was, in fact, injured. The Minister said nothing about that, but she spoke about the threats to other people.

Last week, women in their sixties were manhandled when the Taoiseach attended an event in Santry. The Minister has not mentioned the use of pepper spray in both Coolock and Tallaght the other day. She should comment on that.

See this speech in context