Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Mullen for putting it so eloquently.As far as I can see, this section is a bit like the tail wagging the dog because the Minister has provided no evidence. There is no evidence whatsoever from the Garda Commissioner regarding allegations that have been made by a certain lobby group. The Minister has produced no evidence in respect of any hospital to indicate that inappropriate protests were taking place outside these medical centres. There is no evidence from any hospital or any health centre. Where is the evidence? It is not good enough for the Minister to come into this Chamber and say that he does not need to give names. Are there organisations out there? Are there hospitals out there? Are there doctors out there? Did the Garda Commissioner tell the Minister something? I ask because at a meeting of the joint committee, the Garda Commissioner clearly said it was not happening. As well as that, there is already legislation in place, namely, the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, which prevents anyone from blocking a doorway to a healthcare centre. The legislation is already there-----