Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Opposition Senators tabled an amendment on Report Stage of the Bill to which Senator Hayes refers seeking a commencement date for that appointment. The then Minister of State responsible, Deputy Hanafin, gave us an absolute assurance that there was no need to do so because the post would be operational as soon as practicable after the Bill was passed. On that basis, this side of the House agreed to withdraw the amendment in good faith. There was a lengthy debate on the matter and we made the point that when a commencement date was specified on previous legislation, such as the Education Bill, it ensured that things happened.

There is often decent and genuine opposition to issues and decent people have taken different views from mine on the Nice treaty, trade unions and other issues. They protested and went about their business. However, they are often new to the business of protest and are unaware – unlike those of us who are used to it – that they can be hijacked by small groups of people who change their name with every single new opposition grouping. They begin as anti-Nice treaty, then they become anti-war and then anti-Shannon stop-over – whatever is most appropriate at the time. They are simply Trotskyites who are trying to do something. This is hugely important.

Things have happened outside the gates of the House which are worrying to all of us but we need to look at it from all points of view. The Garda Síochána agreed to allow the lapse of the constitutional requirement that there be no demonstrations within a particular distance of the Houses of the Oireachtas on the basis of agreement with leaders of demonstrations. I was there at 7.30 p.m. and there were decent, honourable people protesting in a way with which many Members of this House would agree.

Two things need to happen. We should not see everybody in the same light and people who are protesting should not need to feel that they have to defend people who acted dishonourably, if they acted dishonourably. I am being careful with my words because I did not see and do not know what happened. The result, however, is a strong requirement and responsibility on us to welcome opinion and opposition. It is hugely important.

One of the good things about this anti-war movement is that it has encouraged participation in political and public life by young people who had no such involvement previously. It is important to encourage people to voice their views and to do so in a way that is appropriate to all sides so that all arguments are respected.