I welcome the fact that I follow on from Independent Ireland to speak because I want to mention a group of Irish people -Irish men and women- that they never once mentioned. That is the men and women of An Garda Síochána-----

Sentiment score: 0.26

-----who stood by this State. 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's 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 is a right that all of us in this House support and the Constitution of this country expressly guarantees it. I have no doubt 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 is to be respected. The Government has now acted to seek to address those concerns. However, let us get one thing straight in this House; the right to protest is not unlimited. Our Constitution states, "The right of the 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 An Garda Síochána 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, but 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 An Garda Síochána in the provision of equipment required to remove vehicles forming parts of the blockade.

Sentiment score: 0.35

An Garda Síochána, which Member's opposite should appreciate, has a proud record and history of defending and securing the people or Ireland and their democratic institutions from harm against those who have tried to undermine them. They did so again on this occasion and that is to be commended by everyone in this House. I am, however, concerned about the unacceptable levels of hatred and vitriol directed at members of An Garda Síochána, 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 An Garda Síochána, online or in person, will not be tolerated.

Sentiment score: -0.07

I have already spoken to the Commissioner about this and he has assured me that, where offences have been committed, prosecutions will follow. The work of this Government in the area of justice has just begun. It is vital that work continues. As such, I commend the motion of confidence before the House.

Sentiment score: 0.46

You should recognise and respect our Army. You respected another army for long enough.

Sentiment score: 0.48