In recent weeks and months we have seen an increasing number of events outside, and unfortunately inside, libraries involving intimidatory behaviour towards library staff and the general public in an attempt to remove, to deface or outright remove without permission certain library books for children. I am sure the Minister will agree with me that a library is a place of learning, information and study and is certainly no place for extreme politics of any kind. What assurances can he give me that the Government can provide certainty with regard to library staff, the general public and most importantly children that individuals will be kept outside the premises? One such incident happened in Swords, in my constituency, a couple of weeks ago. If these individuals are flagging these events online well in advance, they should be removed from libraries, forcibly if required, to ensure that the safety and welfare of library users and staff is not put in jeopardy.

I want to give a clear message that if someone has a political issue they want raised in terms of the availability of certain books and content within books, there are ways in which they can raise that without intimidating children and staff who are simply doing their job, normally linked to a local authority running library services that are fantastic across the country. My children use the library service a lot, and it is no place for protest and intimidation. I will raise this with the Minister with responsibility for local government. If there are security considerations then we will pursue them, but I hope we can give a clear signal across all political parties that intimidation that may involve children is not an appropriate way to raise a political point.