We're not REALLY here to keep the peace.
Apparently the Garda Representative Association feel it's not the duty of the Gardaí to uphold public order:"It seems now gardaí will have to police the public-order side of the smoking ban. It will alienate the police force. I think it's very unfair that members of the gardaí should have to police a smoking ban when it becomes a public-order issue," he said. "We are almost like the sweeper-uppers of somebody else's problems. We will be the laughing stock of the world on this," Mr Stone added. (from The Irish Times, link may or may not work due to registration and what not)
Now, from the Garda Síochána website, there are plenty references to upholding public order, including a press release on an agreement with Russia back in 2000 which explicitly claims responsibility for maintenance of public order. Never mind that the name of the force, "An Garda Síochána" translates as "Guardians of the Peace".
Now, from the Garda Síochána website, there are plenty references to upholding public order, including a press release on an agreement with Russia back in 2000 which explicitly claims responsibility for maintenance of public order. Never mind that the name of the force, "An Garda Síochána" translates as "Guardians of the Peace".