Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 507: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on the common practice at the community demonstrations against Shell at Bellanaboy, County Mayo, of the gardaí present removing their identification numbers and in some cases swapping their identification numbers with other members of An Garda Síochána on duty; and his views on whether this is detrimental to the cause of good policing at the demonstrations. [29615/07]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 508: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the fact that the Garda (details supplied) in command of the policing operation in the area around Rossport, County Mayo, told local people who were attempting to stop illegal work being carried out in a special area of conservation by contractors employed by Shell that they would be removed, and then deployed members of An Garda Síochána to surround the machinery which was carrying out the illegal drilling work on the fragile habitat at Glengad, in order that the illegal work could continue without interference; and his further views on whether such partial behaviour is detrimental to the cause of good policing. [29616/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 507 and 508 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that members of the Garda Síochána are regularly inspected by their supervisors when reporting for duty, which includes an examination and verification of identification numbers, at each Garda operational briefing prior to being deployed on duties relating to the ongoing protest actions at Bellanaboy, Co. Mayo. Moreover, members of the Garda Síochána are under the direct supervision of personnel of higher ranks who regularly ensure that all members are correctly attired and wearing identification numbers.

I am further informed that since the commencement of the policing arrangements at Bellanaboy, it has been Garda policy to 'videotape' each event. As a result, the members of the Garda Síochána detailed for duty, and their identification numbers, are easily and readily identifiable at each of the protests.

In respect of the other matter raised by the Deputy, I am informed that, on 23 October, 2007, an engineering company was carrying our drilling investigations in lands at Glengad on behalf of Shell, with the full permission of the owner of the lands. A complaint was made to the Garda Síochána that a number of protestors had entered these lands, without the permission of the owner or any other relevant party. In response, members of the Garda Síochána under the direction and supervision of the District Superintendent attended the scene in order to preserve law and order. In accordance with the law, the protestors were directed to leave the lands in question. Accordingly the District Superintendent and the other members of the Garda Síochána present were carrying out their duties in accordance with the law.