In the past few days we have heard in the media about people's right to protest.

I compliment those who protested on Merrion Square, where the protest seemed to be more like a concert. The peaceful nature of the protest resembled protesters who were more or less welcoming water charges. However, on O'Connell Bridge at 2.30 p.m., a few hundred people decided to bring the entire city to a standstill, with the result that people on their way to hospital appointments could not move. At 6 p.m., almost four hours later, I met elderly people accompanied by their grandchildren who could not get home because buses were not running and taxis were not moving. This was outrageous and unacceptable behaviour. When gardaí eventually arrived to move the protestors off the streets, they were spat on by thugs who want to do nothing but create anarchy. Their behaviour was absolutely outrageous.

Could the record show that yesterday's protest was completely peaceful, as has been acknowledged by the Garda?

Please allow Senator Kelly to continue without interruption.

To characterise the people who peacefully and democratically protested as thugs is ridiculous.

Senator Norris should resume his seat.

Unlike Senator Norris, I was on O'Connell Street yesterday and saw the thugs who wanted nothing other than to cause anarchy in this country.