Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

67. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on the presence of a large number of gardaí at a peaceful community protest by residents against the installation of water meters at Tonlegee Drive, Edenmore, Dublin 5 on 12 June 2014; and if, in view of this and the presence of gardaí at other similar peaceful protests around the country, she believes it is a proper use of Garda resources to be deployed in this way. [26911/14]

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to justify the presence of large numbers of gardaí at peaceful community protests against the installation of water meters in Dublin and elsewhere, particularly in the light of the fact that the austerity programme that gave rise to water meters and water charges has been totally discredited and now has no mandate following the recent elections.

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The installation of water meters has given rise to protest action by individuals and groups opposed to the introduction of water charges. Legitimate, peaceful protest as an expression of a particular viewpoint has its place in society. There is no argument with this, but there are other, equally legitimate, rights that must also be protected. The right of a person to go about his or her lawful business and make a living free from unwarranted interference is one such right. Where the exercise of these rights raises the possibility of a breach of public order, it is the responsibility of An Garda Síochána to act to prevent such breaches.

It is important that the House be aware that the gardaí were present in the area on the day in question to maintain public order and enable workers to go about their lawful business. Their presence was also required as a result of makeshift and illegal water connections having been installed. Such unauthorised work could have compromised the water supply in the area. The Garda presence facilitated the contractors in carrying out the necessary work to prevent this risk. I am informed by the Garda authorities that after this work was completed the gardaí withdrew from the area.

It is for An Garda Síochána to take the necessary measures in regard to such matters, having regard to the public interest including the need to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of the public. However, I am sure the Deputy will agree that there is no reason both the rights of the protesters to protest and the obligations on An Garda Síochána where public safety is concerned should necessarily be in conflict. On some occasions the gardaí are placed in a difficult position, but I have no doubt they would also receive criticism if they decided not to police such events and if persons engaged in lawful employment or members of the public were prevented from going to work or, worse, were endangered or injured, accidentally or otherwise.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In many parts of Dublin, Cork, Limerick and other areas around the country, ordinary householders and taxpayers have been peacefully protesting against the installation of water meters, because they know that these are the tools by which the Government is to impose yet another austerity tax upon them. These people have been forced to carry so much already, as part of the bailout of bankers and bondholders.

This was a huge issue at the local and European elections. The policy of Fine Gael and the Labour Party was flatly rejected and the moral right is entirely with the householders and those protesting, yet the Government is using the Garda to try to force this development on people. Is that not the case? I put it to the Minister that at a time when many people complain that they cannot get a garda when they need one in emergency cases, perhaps a case of domestic abuse or some other issue, this is a scandalous waste of public resources.

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I put it to the Deputy that the installation of water meters is being carried out on behalf of Irish Water in accordance with what is a statutory responsibility and a democratic decision. Clearly, all citizens are entitled to peaceful protest and I would affirm that right, but rights come with responsibilities. Equally, if people have the right to protest, there is a responsibility not to breach the law. I am not sure whether the Deputy would stand over the danger of compromising the water supply in the area. If that is what has happened and if the gardaí were there to ensure proper water meters were installed, they were supporting Irish Water in carrying out their statutory duty and responsibility. I thought the Deputy would not support efforts that prevent working people from getting on with what they were being paid to do in those circumstances and in similar circumstances around the country where they are installing water meters.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I put it to the Minister that she is coming at it from the wrong angle completely. The fact is that this new water tax, which will be a huge burden on families - the Taoiseach said the so-called full cost recovery will be €580 per household - is a tax too far and there is outrage about it. Fine Gael and the Labour Party learned that in the campaign for the recent elections. Therefore, this tax and the means employed to implement it have no democratic mandate and no moral authority. That is why citizens all around the country are objecting to it. The Government should end the policy of water tax and metering. This is a waste of taxpayers' funds which should go instead to fix the pipes, where there is huge leakage, rather than to send gardaí into communities to enforce a tax that is discredited before it even begins.

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Clearly, the Deputy is giving his opinion on the tax, but I am speaking about the role of gardaí in the maintenance of public order, if there is a threat to it. Of course, people have a right to protest, but, equally, others have a right to go about their work in installing water meters and doing the job Irish Water is obliged, under statute, to do. That is precisely what was happening on the day in question. In the opinion of senior officers responsible for the deployment of gardaí, the numbers deployed were proportionate to the level of threat posed. I am sure the Deputy does not object to the actions of gardaí in ensuring during the recent spell of good weather that we did not have a repeat of what happened on the beaches in Dublin last year.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is the Minister comparing residents to vandals?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Gardaí took the appropriate steps to maintain public order, rightly so, and they have been praised for so doing. I put it to the Deputy that they were taking the appropriate steps in the context of the incident referred to.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister cannot compare residents and taxpayers with vandals.