Extraordinary powers have been given to the State during this pandemic. Young people up and down the country, but especially in working class communities, are reporting an increased level of harassment by members of the Garda. In a recent report, the Policing Authority states: "Young people were reported as believing that COVID-19 [has] been used by ... Gardaí as an excuse to conduct more stops". The same report stated that student groups described policing in this State as intimidating and negative. It is a fact than more than 50% of Covid fines have been handed out to those aged between 18 and 25.

It is also a fact that we have seen very heavy-handed policing in recent weeks against protest, not least against the Debenhams workers in Waterford, Tralee, the Tánaiste's own area of Blanchardstown, and Henry Street. In a couple of weeks' time, these emergency laws face renewal. These laws are disproportionate and should not be renewed. We are not out of the woods yet on Covid but repression should not be the new normal. Will the Tánaiste indicate whether he will oppose the renewal of those laws?

We have passed some extraordinary laws in this House and signed into law some extraordinary regulations I never thought we would because of the pandemic. We have curtailed people's freedom in a way I never thought we would in the past year or so and we have given the Garda powers to do things I never thought we would give it the power to do. However, this is an unprecedented situation. This is a pandemic and it is not over yet but, in my view, the sooner we can expire those laws the better. I want to see people's individual freedoms and the inviolability of their homes restored and Garda powers returned to what they should be. The Deputy and I may come from a very different angle, philosophically, when it comes to politics but we both share a commitment to individual liberty and personal freedom. The sooner we can get rid of these laws the better.