Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I support strongly the comments made by Senator Fitzgerald on the Ombudsman and the HSE. The Ombudsman's report is an official, damning indictment of that body which is dysfunctional in so many ways.

I refer to the comments made by Senator O'Toole. During the years I have always found it is possible to engage in a happy discourse with most people in front of the gates of Leinster House. However, there is no doubt there is truth in Senator O'Toole's remarks. The people outside the gates in recent days, whatever their agenda is, are nasty and vicious, bullies and dictators. I tried to talk to them about respecting democracy and, by God, I cannot repeat in the House what was said to me. In my 12 years in the House I have never experienced such viciousness in the way they sought to target Members individually. It was mostly aimed at Deputies yesterday. As other Senators have stated, some protocols should be put in place. They were the nastiest and most insulting personal attacks Members have ever experienced. We are all used to peaceful protests and uphold the right of citizens to protest peacefully.