I regret that I do not have much time to deal with the issues raised. I would be happy to prepare a note for Deputy Costello regarding the Data Protection Commissioner and demonstrate in real terms the increase in budget, staff, and other resources such as the headquarters, having regard to the point which the Deputy rightly makes about the importance of our Data Protection Commissioner. I would be happy to engage further about anti-social behaviour. I take issue with Deputy O'Gorman's statement that there is a fun…

In respect of the task force, as a long-standing Member of the House, Deputy Sherlock will be aware that these are operational issues for An Garda Síochána. I assure the Deputy and the House that, from my personal knowledge and my discussions and meetings with the Commissioner and his Garda team, every effort is being made on the part of An Garda Síochána to deal with the serious criminal issue in Drogheda. That will continue until such time as the small number responsible are brought to justice. With regard to Dep…

On direct provision, I am conscious that the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, is present and I am anxious to facilitate his contribution in respect of Cahersiveen. The premises there was offered to my Department last September and assessed by senior officials at the time. In early March, during the early stages of the pandemic, it was deemed appropriate to move residents there from several Dublin hotels, all of which were being used on a temporary basis, including the hotel mentioned by Deputy Catherine Murphy. T…

Of course.

I cannot account for the HSE but I can say that we found out about it from the Deputy's office.

I will and I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the guidance. Deputy Fitzpatrick raised a number of non-Covid-19 related matters, on which I am happy to give him an early reply, with particular reference to the armed support unit and Garda stations and resources in the Louth area. On Covid, Deputy Kenny raised the matter of PPE being deployed to Garda members. This is a matter of importance. I reject Deputy Kenny's remarks about the lack of PPE for Garda members. I will give the House a sense of the volume. Approximatel…

I want to join Deputy Fitzpatrick in offering my condolences to those who passed away in that particular nursing home. As Minister for Justice and Equality, I do not have a direct role but, of course, I would be happy to convey the views of Deputy Fitzpatrick to my Cabinet colleagues, and I will.

That is not true at all. That is not right. We did not say that.

I acknowledge the serious challenge that is direct provision in particular in the context of the current public health situation but I assure all Deputies that improvements are being carried out on a daily basis to ensure the comforts of all of those involved. There are actually 69 residents in Cahersiveen. There is capacity for 150. Anybody who has tested positive was given the opportunity to move to one of the specially designated centres of which there are four, particulars of which I mentioned earlier. Deputy B…

There was no locked gate.

That is not true.

I will hand over to Deputy Stanton but I will say to Deputy Danny Healy-Rae that we will continue to work hard with local management, stakeholders, non-governmental organisations and, in particular, with the HSE and public health to ensure that every possible support continues to be given to the residents in Cahersiveen and other centres in this time of difficulty and challenge.

That will continue.

I am going to continue to deal with this issue, along with the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, officials in my Department and local stakeholders. Indeed, I have spoken to local residents in the area and I am very happy - in fact, I regard it as my duty and obligation - to keep in regular contact with Deputies from the area. I commit towards doing that. I will not comment in any great detail about the level of consultation. We are dealing with a public health emergency. What I will say to Deputy Michael Healy-Rae…

I will say in conclusion, having regard to Deputy Michael Healy-Rae's interests, I would be very happy to engage with him, and with Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, by way of telephone conversation tomorrow or at any stage, as I have been doing with the Minister of State, Deputy Griffin, and other Members for the area.

I am more responsible to this House.

I agree with the Deputy that these are exceptional powers in emergency circumstances. Having said that, the regulations are clear in that they require people to remain in their residences unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave them. A reasonable excuse, as the Deputy will be aware, includes going to work in an essential service, going to the shops for essential goods, going to the doctor and taking exercise. People were allowed to exercise within 2 km of their homes, which recently increased to 5 km. There i…

I am certainly aware that direct provision has been very much the focus of attention at, for example, the vulnerable persons sub-group of NPHET.

I will have to get that information for the Deputy. Regarding the emergency powers conferred on the Garda Síochána by this House, however, as far as the Garda is concerned, the operational engagement on its part is to engage with members of the public, to inform members of the public, to encourage members of the public and, as a last resort, to rely on the Covid-19-related regulations made by the Minister for Health. It is clear from the reports published by the Garda Commissioner and the Policing Authority that it…

I would be happy to document that to the Deputy in respect of all the CHO areas.