Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has said that the temporary powers given to An Garda Síochána were necessary and in the interests of the protection of public health.
Speaking in the Dáil, the Minister paid tribute to frontline workers, including gardai, prison officers, court officers and staff and immigration officers in managing the response to Covid-19.
And he emphasised that the new and temporary powers were due to the fact that the gardai play a key role in the protection of public health.
He said appropriate oversight has been given to the tradition in the State of policing by consent and adhering to human rights obligations.