James Heffernan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I do not intend to go on too long. We have heard a lot about the incidents last night on Kildare Street. I attended that protest earlier in the day. I listened to many of the speeches made from the podium which came from a wide variety of different groups, such as those who were there concerned about the cuts to lone parents and those from Right2Water, We Won't Pay, support the boycott and other groups. A degree of sensationalism can come into this but, in the main, those I engaged with at that protest yesterday were decent and sensible people who were certainly passionate about the cuts affecting their lives.

However, there was a fringe group of what can only be described as ludramáns and idiots who became part of the protest and took it over. They certainly do not speak for the majority of people. That is a problem with the water charges protest. The movement is being sullied by these plonkers who think it is a good idea to take on and have a bit of an argy-bargy with, the Garda. It is a scandal for the likes of Senator Landy, who is one of the most decent Members of this House, to be treated in such a fashion, as he was last night, when trying to get home.

This is something that has occurred on a number of occasions with protests since I have been a Member of this House. I refer to the management of protests. I do not know whether it comes down Garda resources or whatever, but the idea that Kildare Street can be completely blocked off from those who are trying to get home from work, catch buses up the street and go about their daily lives is wrong. I am not a security expert but surely a cordon should be placed at the bottom of Molesworth Street to contain a protest there.

If the Leas-Chathaoirleach can bear with me for one more minute, I want to speak about the cuts to lone parents. There are many lone parents this morning, of whom the Deputy Leader may be aware, who have not received the transitional payment into their bank accounts. These are lone parents who are depending on this payment to provide a child's lunch, bus fare or whatever. It is adding to the distress. I suppose we will hear the yarn that the Department's computers are to blame, it is a technology glitch or whatever, but that is not good enough.