Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate Senator Malcolm Byrne on bringing forward this Bill. I join him in thanking the Minister for accepting it. This is important legislation that is about to be passed by the House.

The Senator stated that peaceful demonstration is a vital part of our democracy. That is quite true. We have to allow people to demonstrate and to protest in a peaceful manner but what we have seen over the past number of years outside high-profile public representatives' private houses where their families are inside, is not acceptable.

I welcome this legislation and I congratulate all involved in bringing it this far.