Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

My comments relate to the Bill. The point is that we do not have democratic accountability for the Garda, nor is such accountability proposed. If we are to avoid the types of incidents I have highlighted, we must have democratic accountability at a national and community level. This means having working class communities and ordinary people take charge of policing resources and priorities through their democratic representatives. That issue is related to the Bill.

The arrests of 27 people in Jobstown were unquestionably heavy-handed and completely unjustifiable in terms of the number of gardaí involved and the style of arrest used, etc. When the leaking of information about these arrests was raised on Leaders' Questions yesterday, the Taoiseach did not appear remotely bothered. That persons have been named in the national media following a leak that is likely to have emanated from the Garda and are likely to face serious criminal charges which could result in significant prison time is a serious problem. These leaks, which were very likely to have come from the Garda, were an interference in the right of privacy of the individuals in question and the administration of justice. They were also an attempt to shape public opinion and terrorise a community, some of whose members are facing serious charges.

The same Garda division took a decision to issue summonses to Deputy Joan Collins and 11 other individuals for participating in anti-water meter charges protests. Despite these protests being non-controversial, simple and peaceful, people are facing significant criminal charges. The chief superintendent who is responsible for Crumlin and Jobstown made an incredible decision - this, too, is relevant to the Bill - to refuse a permit to a democratically organised political party to collect money, which it has done in the past and which other political parties are doing at present. The justification for this decision was given in a letter, which states that "previous protests in my division ... have resulted in persons being arrested for Public Order offences". The presumption of innocence has been thrown out the window. The letter continues:

The collection permit has been refused because I believe the proceeds of the collection or a portion thereof would be used to facilitate protests sponsored by the Anti Austerity Alliance. I believe any further protests within my Division would see further Public Order offences being committed.

This incredible decision chokes off access to fund-raising opportunities for a political force which does not accept money from big business or developers and relies on ordinary people and the types of collections for which it applied. The decision strangles the ability of a political group to function on the basis that it may organise protests. It is another clear example of the political policing that is taking place. It is not accidental that the person responsible for this decision is also the person responsible for policing in Jobstown and Crumlin and, I presume, for the decision as to the nature of the arrests the decision to serve summonses.

Another point on which I was given short shrift by the Taoiseach yesterday relates to Operation Mizen. According to a report in a national newspaper, this is a special investigation unit which has spent six months "monitoring protestors, compiling profiles and gathering intelligence on their whereabouts". It also notes that: "Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy, who was arrested in conjunction with the notorious Jobstown protest, is understood to be among those being monitored."

It is a very serious situation whereby there are reports in the media, which is not the only source I have heard it from, that people are being spied upon and surveilled by gardaí on the basis of their participation in protests against a key Government austerity policy.

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