The Taoiseach's behaviour in relation to An Taisce is reminiscent of Donald Trump.

The emergency powers handed to the Garda and the State last year are due to expire on 9 June but it is rumoured that the Government is thinking of extending them yet again. We have seen how the so called Covid powers have been used to harass Debenhams workers and to ban a car-based protest by taxi drivers. We have also seen 40 gardaí with six police vans physically breaking up a Debenhams picket in Waterford on Monday night. Socially distanced protests on the current housing crisis, for example, have been effectively criminalised without any serious scrutiny. Despite repeated promises to the Policing Authority, the Garda has still not provided a detailed breakdown by ethnicity of how these powers have been used. There is evidence of serious age and class bias as over 2,000 fines were handed out in the northern region of Dublin and fewer than 300 fines were handed out in the better off eastern region.

Does the Government intend to renew these powers? If so, will the Taoiseach at least insist on full advance scrutiny, including at an all-party committee and in debates in the Dáil?

I come from a different perspective than the Deputy when it comes to An Garda Síochána. I have seen a consistent approach from the Deputy that always seeks to undermine An Garda Síochána and to cast it in a bad light in terms of being, as he said, biased or against young people. That is an outrageous thing to say. An Garda Síochána is not biased against young people. I have seen gardaí doing fantastic work with young people in disadvantaged communities, working with them in sport and working to help them get through the challenges that many young people have faced in difficult circumstances in difficult communities. It is quite wrong of the Deputy, because of his political views and ideological disposition-----

Can the Taoiseach answer the question?

I am answering the question straight on because I know what the Deputy is at. What the Deputy is at is not sincere but is about painting a bleak and dark picture of the Garda being anti young people, racist or whatever. That is wrong. I disagree with it and I am convinced that the motivation behind An Garda Síochána with young people is a positive one. I have seen evidence of that

Will the Taoiseach please answer the question?

Unfortunately, the Covid restrictions-----

The Taoiseach said he was answering the question and he did not answer it at all. The question was if the Government will renew the powers. It is a serious civil liberties issue and the Taoiseach entirely diverted from it by pretending I was saying something I was not saying. Will you please answer the question? Are you going to renew the powers?

Will the Deputy resume his seat?

Certainly. Can we get an answer?

Stop interrupting the House, Deputy.