Lunch ban for CHASE group

MEMBERS of Cork’s leading anti-incineration group were barred from going into Leinster House for lunch yesterday after protesting outside Dáil Éireann on Kildare Street in Dublin.

Up to a dozen members of CHASE, Cork Harbour Area for a Safe Environment, protested against the Environment Protection Agency’s decision to grant Indaver a licence for an incinerator at Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork.

After making their point, Green Party TD Dan Boyle invited the CHASE members inside for lunch, particularly as it was lashing rain, but was amazed to be told that there is a rule stipulating that if you protest outside Dáil Éireann, you cannot subsequently enter the building.

Vowing to raise the matter with the Oireachtas authorities, the Cork South-Central TD said the rule was an infringement of people’s rights.

“This rule undermined the right to protest. The right to protest is fundamental and the right to access the national parliament is equally fundamental.

While Deputy Boyle said he appreciated the security considerations within Leinster House, he said he would rise the blanket ban with the Oireachtas Committee on Procedure and Privileges, of which he is a member, and would also write to the Ceann Comhairle.

The ban could be understood if there was an agitated protest, where the intention was clearly hostile, but to prevent all members of groups from being accompanied into the building by a TD after their protest was finished was a step too far, the Green Party TD said.

CHASE was also supported at the protest by representatives from other national anti-incineration groups including VOICE and the Ringsend Group, CRAI.