Minister Eamon Ryan has defended the manner in which Gardaí have policed protests so far this year.
There have been 125 anti-immigration protests in Dublin alone in the first four and half months of 2023.
It was also reported this week that a protester boarded a bus in Clare to do a "headcount" of asylum seekers.
Minister Ryan told RedFM News that de-escalating tensions is what Gardaí do, and do well:
"An Garda Síochána have a really good record in how you don't escalate situations, how you do protect people first and foremost, and not seeing it escalate. And I think they've done a good job, but it's not easy. We are a decent country and it starts with showing respect for all people, particularly those who are in a vulnerable situation".
