Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is going on in this country with the tacit approval of the Government. I contacted the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, the morning after. She is aware of it. This is not acceptable in any democracy. Deputy Ó Fearghaíl said it is like Zimbabwe. It is definitely like it, or Libya. It is outrageous that hooded men, accompanied by unmuzzled dogs, are trespassing across lands, including those of other landowners.

The second piece of legislation I want to ask the Taoiseach about also involves the Garda. A former eminent Supreme Court judge last week used a member of the Garda to promote an issue in the forthcoming referendum. It is despicable. Gardaí have to be, and have been, impartial in all cases and we all support them 100%, but they cannot be used and abused by receivers and, in this case, by persons supporting nothing other than a "Yes" vote in the campaign. The former judge knew well what she was doing - maybe the innocent gardaí did not know what they were doing - and the response from the Minister and the Garda Representative Association has been pathetic. It is a misuse of the Garda Síochána which should be allowed to be impartial and above reproach.

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