Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As someone who spent all my life as a public servant in school teaching, I am very proud to be part of the public service. I hope Deputy Coppinger would condemn the treatment of members of An Garda Síochána outside this House last night because that has no place in a civilised democracy. The right to protest and have a disagreement is fundamental to democracy, but it is not right to stop the men and women of An Garda Síochána from doing their business. That is the reality regardless of whether the Deputy likes it. We have a duty, as Members of this House, to support and uphold the men and women of our police force, An Garda Síochána.

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