Helen McEntee

Garda commissioner Drew Harris was asked to undertake the review following a violent far-right protest outside Leinster House last week.

The chairs of the respective parliamentary parties and parliamentary groupings in the Oireachtas, and representatives of the staff and media working in Leinster House, will be asked to contribute to the review and will be met with as part of this process.

This will allow those working in the Oireachtas give their views on general security and protection, including as they work in their constituencies, as well as on the security approach to parliamentary set days such as Budget Day and the first sitting of Dáil terms.

Mrs McEntee has also asked her officials to examine whether existing legislation is sufficient to deal with intimidation centred on the State’s democratic institutions, and is also consulting with the Attorney General on this.

The minister said: “It is clear that, over recent years, there has been a significant increase in the level of abuse, on- and off-line, targeted at politicians, their staff and those working in our democratic institutions.

“There has been a noticeable deterioration in the tone and content of some, increasingly personalised, commentary on political and public affairs, particularly on social media.

“We saw this aggression and coarseness evident in the disturbing scenes outside Leinster House this week. I am determined to take all steps to ensure this does not develop further.

“We must also ensure that the small minority who wish to attack democracy do not deter people from participating in politics and engaging in public life. Political engagement, vigorous debate are vital to public life and our thriving democracy.

“Ireland is not immune from the coarsening of debate and physical risks that we have seen elsewhere so we will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of all those who participate in public life.

“I have asked the Garda commissioner to carry out a review of security and protection of TDs, senators, their staff and people working on the Oireachtas campus, and I expect to receive a final report by the end of October.”