Jim O'Callaghan: Praises Garda Response, Warns on Harassment
Jim O'Callaghan speaks today to commend An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces for their response to recent blockades, to defend the right to peaceful assembly and to warn against online harassment of Garda members. He supports the Government's steps to address protesters' concerns and commends the motion of confidence before the House.
Jim O'Callaghan thanks the men and women of An Garda Síochána for their professionalism, commitment and courage during the week of blockades that affected ports and fuel depots. He also acknowledges assistance from the Defence Forces in providing equipment to remove vehicles used in blockades.
O'Callaghan reiterates that while the constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, that right is subject to public order. He argues that the blockades at certain sites did not meet the constitutional standard of peaceable assembly and that the Gardaí were required to restore order.
The speaker expresses concern about levels of hatred and vitriol directed at Garda members, particularly online, and records that he has raised the matter with the Commissioner. He notes the Commissioner has assured him that where offences have been committed, prosecutions will follow.
O'Callaghan concludes by urging continued work in the area of justice and by commending the motion of confidence now before the House, framing it as part of the government's response to the events and the protections of democratic institutions.
Commending the Gardaí
Jim O'Callaghan thanks the men and women of An Garda Síochána for their professionalism, commitment and courage during the week of blockades that affected ports and fuel depots. He also acknowledges assistance from the Defence Forces in providing equipment to remove vehicles used in blockades.
Limits of peaceful protest
O'Callaghan reiterates that while the constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, that right is subject to public order. He argues that the blockades at certain sites did not meet the constitutional standard of peaceable assembly and that the Gardaí were required to restore order.
Concerns about harassment
The speaker expresses concern about levels of hatred and vitriol directed at Garda members, particularly online, and records that he has raised the matter with the Commissioner. He notes the Commissioner has assured him that where offences have been committed, prosecutions will follow.
Parliamentary consequence
O'Callaghan concludes by urging continued work in the area of justice and by commending the motion of confidence now before the House, framing it as part of the government's response to the events and the protections of democratic institutions.
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Transcript
I welcome the fact that I follow on from Independent Ireland to speak here today, because I want to mention a group of Irish people, Irish men and women, that I never once mentioned about, and that's the men and women of An Garda Síochána, who stood by this state. And I want to thank the Gardaí, who over the past week showed outstanding professionalism, commitment and courage in guaranteeing the safety and security of the state and its citizens throughout the period of blockades of critical infrastructure. We all know in this House, on the government side, that in any liberal democracy, the right to peaceful assembly, the right to express disagreement with the people who govern, is a central right. It's a right that all of us in this House support, and the constitution of this country expressly guarantees it. I have no doubt that there are many people from across the country who are exercising that right due to the great concern they had for their livelihoods, and that's to be respected. The government has now acted to seek to address those concerns. However, let's get one thing straight in this House. The right to protest is not unlimited. Our constitution states the right of citizens to assemble peaceably is subject to public order. What we witnessed last week at certain sites where the blockading of fuel and goods occurred was not a peaceful assembly in line with public order. In those circumstances, the Gardaí were required to restore order. That is what they did, and I commend them for doing so. It is a credit to the Gardaí that they not only managed to remove the blockades at both ports and fuel depots in a swift manner following a number of days of engagement, they did so without any notable injury to the individuals at the blockades or any member of the force. I also want to commend the defence forces who provided assistance to the Gardaí in the provision of equipment required to remove vehicles forming parts of the blockade. And Garda Síochána, as you should appreciate, has a proud record and history of defending and securing the people of Ireland and their democratic institutions from harm against those who have tried to undermine them. They did so again on this occasion, and that's to be commended by everyone in this House. I'm concerned, however, about the unacceptable levels of hatred and vitriol directed at Garda members, sometimes in person but mostly from faceless cowards on social media. The majority of them from outside this state. I want to put on the record of the House that harassment of members of Garda Síochána online or in person will not be tolerated. I've already spoken to the Commissioner about this. He's assured me that where offences have been committed, prosecutions will follow. The work of this Government in the area of justice has just begun, Count Orla. It's vital that work continues. As such, I commend the motion of confidence before the House.