Barriers may be used to keep protesters 1.6km from Leinster House

Existing public order legislation allows gardaí restrict access to places such as Kildare St with barriers up to a mile away

Members of the Garda Public Order Unit watch protesters outside Leinster House on Kildare St on Wednesday as the Dáil resumed after the summer recess. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Barriers blocking people 1.6km away from Leinster House may be considered for future protests as politicians fear the return of “aggressive” demonstrators for next month’s budget.

Senior gardaí met with security staff at the Oireachtas following “disgraceful” scenes outside of the Dáil on Wednesday.

It is understood gardaí told those who attended the meeting that there is scope under public order legislation which empowers gardaí to place barriers on roads up to 1.6km — a mile — from where a particular event involving a large number of people is taking place.

The possibility of a safe zone around the Leinster House complex was also discussed, but it is not anticipated that that would be put in place.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the threat level against politicians has risen in recent times and that what happened outside Leinster House on Wednesday was wrong.

Mr Varadkar told RTÉ that the briefing from Garda Commissioner Drew Harris “is that threats are being made against politicians and public figures by people who have histories of violence and have convictions.

“So that’s where it becomes more serious.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said some of the actions outside Leinster House “approximates to fascist-like behaviour” and said the personal abuse sustained by politicians and staff was “absolutely vile”.

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe suggested that further security steps may have to be taken to protect staff and politicians at the Oireachtas, at constituency offices, and at their homes.

Mr Donohoe said while Ireland is a “long way away” from scenes similar to those at the Capitol riots in the US, he cautioned that the State cannot be “complacent” when it comes to future security threats.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said the protests outside Leinster House were a shocking example of “the madness” witnessed outside libraries in recent weeks.

A review of security arrangements is underway with yesterday’s meeting with gardaí the first of many. Ms McEntee spoke about the matter with Mr Harris.

Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, who attended the meeting with gardaí yesterday, said he commended officers for their work but also “wanted to get the message across that we can’t have something of that nature happening in the immediate environment of Leinster House again”.

He said well-organised, legitimate, and peaceful protests are an essential part of democracy but described the purpose of people who attended Wednesday’s events as only to “promote hate” and were “menacing and threatening” in their approach. He said there is no requirement for the State or gardaí to “facilitate people of that nature.”

“I suppose what people need is help,” he added.  "They need help to see the error of their ways. I don’t know who they think they’re helping or what cause they are advancing but the truth of the matter is they’re not helping anyone.”

He also confirmed that there was discussion at the meeting about legislation already in place that could “push back” barriers and set a limit to how close protesters can get to Leinster House.

He added: “I think a more carefully planned measured approach is what is required and what we will also be doing is carefully monitoring social media and be aware in advance of what they’re up to.”