Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We learn about these things through the media. It is a fait accompli. The SC is in place. He is going to report to the Taoiseach. The rest of us will sit and listen as we get it from RTE or from elsewhere. We should be able to come in here and discuss it. The Government should listen to what we have to say before it comes to a decision. There is a credible and acceptable way of bringing this chaotic episode to a conclusion. That would have involved the establishment of an independent inquiry as provided for under the Commissions of Investigations Act 2004. That would have taken it out of the political brouhaha that has been going on for some time.

As the Taoiseach knows, these are profoundly serious issues. A person has been killed and others have been assaulted. Confidence in the administration of An Garda Síochána and of justice is being eroded. Here is the nub of it. The Taoiseach received this report last week. He has now invited this SC in to tell him what he should do. The Minister has had it for two years. Sergeant McCabe's allegations go back to 2008.

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