PROTECT US IN THE OIREACHTAS

Calls for 'sterile zone' around Leinster house | Fears politicians may lose touch with voters | Top garda meeting with Ceann Comhairle

- LOUISE BURNE and LAURA COLGAN

CALLS have been made for “sterilised zones” around Leinster House after Wednesday’s fraught and widely condemned protests. 

Cathaoirleach Jerry Buttimer told the Irish Mirror that “we can’t keep getting by on a wing and a prayer” when it comes to security at the parliamentary building.

As a review started in Leinster House yesterday, it has raised the prospect of introducing safe access zones similar to at hospitals offering abortions.

This would prohibit protests within a certain distance of the building.

However, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan admitted he wouldn’t like to see Leinster House turned into “Fort Knox”.

Speaking in New York, he said: “I was really shocked last night after seeing on Twitter the video of Michael Healy-Rae having to be escorted by the guards and staff going in and out of Leinster House. That’s shocking.

“I think it’s a disgrace and I think it’s a complete insult to the Irish citizens. They voted for him.”

But Minister Ryan stopped short of supporting calls for protest zones around Leinster House out of fear politicians would lose touch with people.

He said: “We have to be careful you don’t lose the point of contact between the Irish people and politicians.

“A real strength of our country, is that most people would know a TD and would never feel shy about approaching a TD.

“We have to be careful in whatever response that you don’t lose that point of contact because that’s the strength of our democracy.

“I’ve been through those gates in really tricky situations. And I think we should try and keep that.

“In other countries where it’s like Fort Knox, I wouldn’t like that.”