19. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach how he intends to increase the co-ordination role of his Department in national security; and when the new national security committee will be established. [13704/25]

Sentiment score: 0.24

Disgraceful.

Sentiment score: 0.00

The national security of our country is being breached by increased requests for weapons flight exemptions. However, it seems that mothers are the biggest threat to security judging by the actions yesterday. I, too, want to put on the record the utterly outrageous treatment of mothers who gave up Mother's Day to peacefully hold a vigil. I was actually going to attend it myself. They had pictures of children who have been brutally killed in Gaza. They had what they call pillow babies, which are wrapped in swaddling clothes like a baby corpse. Gardaí arrived at the gate at 5.30 a.m. Nobody needed to use Leinster House at that time by the way. They took the pictures. They kicked the pillow babies in one case, which people found very offensive and insensitive. They then proceeded to arrest the eight women who were having a peaceful sit-down protest. The Taoiseach heard from other TDs that some of those women were strip-searched, and one was subjected to a cavity search. These are deemed sexual violence actions by Amnesty International. Why did that happen?

Sentiment score: -0.19

Why did this happen at a very peaceful vigil, with displays marking a memorial, in effect, for the people who have been killed in Palestine? These women are nothing but peace-loving. I know many of them personally; one or two live in my constituency.

Sentiment score: -0.08

If I could just say this, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle: why did the gardaí ask the women why they were supporting Hamas? Obviously, they are not supporting Hamas by objecting to a genocide. Why did the gardaí also ask: "What do you think would happen to you if you were outside the White House right now?" Is this an international policing memo that is being sent, emanating from the likes of Germany and the White House?

Sentiment score: 0.13

Is this coming to Ireland as well?

Sentiment score: 0.27

I would like the Taoiseach to object to the way those women were treated.

Sentiment score: 0.36

It was not necessary to do that.

Sentiment score: 0.00

Will the Taoiseach go back to the actual protest he was asked about?

Sentiment score: -0.25

What about the Mother's Day protesters who were strip-searched?

Sentiment score: -0.23