Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I send my well wishes to the teacher and child who were injured last week. I express my condemnation of the riots that happened last Thursday. Over the past year, we have seen far-right demonstrations at libraries, East Wall, a violent attack on the makeshift refugee camp on Sandwith Street and the protest outside the Dáil in September. It is disingenuous for the Government to suggest the riot was unexpected following decades of neglect in communities around the country and months of increasing tensions among far-right groups. The Garda should have moved on far-right groups earlier. It has had many opportunities to do so. Indeed, Agriculture House was evacuated of staff before 5 p.m. last Thursday but reinforcements were not summoned by the Garda until after 7 p.m. How was that the case?

Facial recognition technology is not the answer despite the Minister's insistence that it is. I echo the Irish Network Against Racism's concern at the Government's promotion of authoritarian measures, such as facial recognition technology, as an answer to far-right disturbances and hate crime. Such technology is not the answer and such measures have worse outcomes for minorities.

I also highlight the fact that although certain communities and people with certain backgrounds have experienced the brunt of the blame and backlash for Thursday, those who were charged were from all over the country. This is a nationwide issue and should be treated as such. A look at the court records reveals that to be the case.

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