Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will respond to correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Gardaí and the Shell gas dispute issue. [22190/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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There have been ongoing protest actions in the North Mayo area by local campaigners, supported by groups and individuals from outside the area, with a view to preventing progress on the completion of the work required to bring ashore the significant gas reserves which lie in the Corrib Gas field. I should not need to remind the Deputy of the importance to the national gas supply and to the economy more generally of having this essential infrastructural project completed.

It is deeply regrettable that so much Garda resources have to be tied up at the North Mayo site. However this is absolutely necessary in view of the actions of some of the protestors, many of whom as I have said are not from the area and who have engaged in acts of public disorder as well as damage to property. Such action cannot be tolerated and the Garda presence is there to prevent it. This has left the Gardaí open to accusations that they are facilitating the interests of a multinational company over the interests, and safety concerns, of local residents. In response to these allegations it has been consistently stated that the Garda presence is to prevent breaches of the peace, to uphold the law and to prevent interference with workers going to and coming from the site. The Garda Commissioner has informed me that the aim of the policing measures currently in place is to prevent public order offences and to ensure that people can go about their lawful business.

The Deputy will be aware that the matter of complaints in relation to comments made by a member of An Garda Siochána, were the subject of an independent investigation carried out by the Garda Siochána Ombudsman Commission. On the 24th April 2012, the Commission stated that it had recommended to the Garda Commissioner (as provided for by Section 97 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005) that disciplinary action should be taken against one of the members complained of. The report of the Commission is currently with the Garda Commissioner.

An Garda Síochána is duty-bound to uphold the rule of law without fear or favour, and that is what local Garda management will continue to do in relation to the protests in what is a difficult and confrontational setting which is not of their making.