§ Mr. FIELDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state under whose directions and by what authority the Dublin Metropolitan Police interfered with the executive of the Town Tenants' League in Dublin when promoting a public 1996 meeting to protest against a case of threatened arbitrary eviction in O'Connell Street?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)The Chief Commissioners of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, with the sanction of the Government, informed the promoters of the meeting that it could not be held, as proposed, in one of the principal thoroughfares of the city and close to the scene of the impending eviction. A meeting in such a place would have been calculated to cause obstruction, and to provoke a breach of the peace. The promoters thereupon selected Beresford Place, where the meeting was held without interference on the part of the police.
§ Mr. FIELDMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is within the power and jurisdiction of the Dublin Metropolitan Police to endeavour to prevent public meetings of the citizens even for legal purposes?
§ Mr. BIRRELLYes. They have ample powers to deal with obstruction of the leading thoroughfares in Dublin.