Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

It raises issues and questions. This morning I sought clarification from Galway City Council because we need a debate on peaceful protest. I was at a joint policing committee meeting in Galway city a few months ago when the chief superintendent categorically said that the encampment was not breaking the law. No one at the meeting, politicians or city council representative, was able to say which law was being broken. The chief superintendent has since been promoted and I congratulate him on it. We have a new chief superintendent and apparently the Occupy Galway group is now in violation of the law. I have sought clarification on the law under which they were removed and I am led to believe the legislation is the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act. I would welcome the attendance of the Minister for Justice and Equality because it is important to have a debate on the right to protest and on what is peaceful protest.