asked the Minister for Justice if he will detail the security arrangements which will be undertaken by the Garda in Phibsboro and Glasnevin to ensure that there will be no repetition of the recent violence following the Glasgow Rangers football match at Dalymount Park, Dublin 7.

(Limerick East): It is a coincidence that we have such a question down today, after the events in Brussels last night. It is appropriate that I should sympathise with the relatives and friends of the victims before I answer this question.

The making of security arrangements to meet the needs of events of the kind referred to in the question is an operational Garda matter and one on which, moreover, the Garda obviously have to adopt a flexible approach involving a willingness to change plans or tactics at any time to suit developments. Accordingly all I can appropriately say is that, whenever incidents occur such as occurred at Dalymount Park and adjoining areas on 18 September 1984, the Garda take full account of them with a view to preventing, as far as possible, a recurrence.

From our own experience with Glasgow Rangers supporters at the match in question and, as the Minister himself referred to, the events last night, with the savagery of some of the Liverpool followers in Brussels, does the Minister now believe it to be appropriate that he consider the possibility of a ban on the entry of British supporters of soccer clubs into this country?

That seems to be a separate question.

It arises directly out of the question. There were British supporters at the Glasgow Rangers match. They caused mayhem in Phibsboro in Dublin. Last night a similar but much more tragic occurrence took place. These are both directly related. They happen to have been a direct result of uncontrollable savagery at football matches.

I have allowed a question rather than given a licence for a speech.

(Limerick East): The Minister of State at the Department of Education is primarily responsible, in association with the relevant sporting bodies, for safety and crowd control measures at sporting fixtures. Obviously, as a result of the events of last night and other events, any police force anywhere in Europe which would have had experience of large sporting situations, especially involving soccer matches, would be reviewing the position today. For the benefit of the House, the House may not be aware that Recommendation No. R85.8 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe member states on the reduction of spectator violence at sporting events and, in particular, at football matches was adopted by the Foreign Ministers of 21 member states in the form of a recommendation to Governments on 19 March 1984. The recommendation was fully supported by the Irish delegation, even though they were not on the working party. The recommendation as adopted by the Committee of Ministers was circulated by the Council of Europe in July 1984 to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

I have seen a copy of that report. Certainly, it contains a number of recommendations which are well worth implementing. It might be helpful if I provided it in the Library or in whatever appropriate way to interested Members. It deals with exactly the problem which occurred last night and makes a whole series of recommendations dealing with the sale of tickets, separation of supporters, crowd control, control on the way to matches, at matches and so on. Those recommendations we could certainly subscribe to.

On the question of banning any particular group of supporters, that raises very wide issues on the common travel arrangements we have with Great Britain and also raises constitutional issues. Our Constitution protects non-nationals as well as citizens.

We all extend our sympathy with regard to the events of last night. Whatever the legal powers for the banning that Deputy Gregory quite rightly seeks, will the Minister, as Minister for Justice, now make it clear to the British soccer authorities that their supporters are not welcome to participate in events in this country until he, as Minister for Justice, is satisfied in regard to the assurances that he would seek from those authorities? Will he, tomorrow morning, arising out of these horrific events of last night, which shocked this and many other countries, make it quite clear that these supporters are not welcome here? Let him show that this country is taking a lead with regard to this horrific occurrence.

(Limerick East): The day immediately following on a catastrophic tragedy is not the best day for enunciating policy.

Hear, hear.

(Limerick East): Certainly, I shall take the Deputy's recommendations into account.

It is the day people want action.

Not overreaction.

(Limerick East): It is always easy to act in that context.

I did not ask for overreaction.

(Limerick East): There is always support for almost any kind of action in the aftermath of a tragedy, if that action seems to be related to the possibility of avoiding a recurrence. All I am saying is that I am not going to enunciate policies on the day after a tragedy during Question Time in this House. I shall bear in mind the points raised by the Deputies.

Question Time in this House is important.

(Limerick East): Very important.