Micheal Martin is considering additional garda powers after Ireland exits the blockade

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is considering beefing up Garda’s powers by the time we get out of lockdown on December 1.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has praised the public’s behavior during the Level Five restrictions, but has also spoken about a possible “additional enforcement” in December.

The Garda chief met with the Taoiseach and the Justice and Health ministers this afternoon to discuss the predicament that reared its head last weekend from take-out pints being drunk in public.

After the meeting, the Taoiseach spokeswoman told the Irish Mirror that the Garda chief believed there had been “high levels of compliance by the public” during the last four weeks of Level Five.

But he also added that there were discussions about what compliance changes might be necessary when we leave Level Five in just under two weeks.

The Taoiseach spokesperson said: “The Taoiseach, Minister of Justice and Minister of Health had a positive and constructive meeting today with the Garda Commissioner that focused on the enforcement of Covid regulations.

“The Commissioner briefed the meeting on the current high levels of public compliance under Level Five and the meeting discussed the issues for enforcement in the context of any changes that might emerge in December.

“The Taoiseach expressed the Government’s gratitude to the members of An Garda Síochána for their continued work in support of public health restrictions.”