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.