John McGahon (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is why this legislation is needed. Senators McDowell and Ward and others have pointed out various flaws. That is a problem that arises when Bills are rushed through the House in a day but I still fully support the Bill.

One of the things I find most galling about the anti-mask protests, which I saw on the day I was caught up in one, is the use of our national flag, the tricolour. These self-described patriots are the opposite of patriots. The real patriots are the doctors, nurses, teachers and front-line staff who have been fighting the battle against Covid day and night since it arrived on our shores at the start of the year. They are, and should be, applauded every day in this country. Those who go onto the streets to protest, cause upset, rabble-rouse and undermine the democratic institutions of this State are not patriots in any sense of the word. It is important that Members of this House and the public take a strong stand against them and say that behaviour is not acceptable. We will increase solidarity among people of we decide that something must be done when people repeatedly flout the laws of the land, put people in danger and give a two-fingered salute to everyone who goes along with the regulations. There must be some sort of deterrent. Senator Byrne alluded to going so far as imprisonment. I do not know if I would go that far but the Senator is not far wrong. We have seen this online where people walk around with their phones shouting and screaming at people, almost as if it was a badge of honour. I have seen them shouting and screaming at ushers and other members of staff here as they came to work. That is utterly wrong. The Minister of State is doing a great job and it is great to see him in the Seanad. This legislation is important to tackle those people.