Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not have a monopoly of wisdom and neither does anyone else. I have stated as much on many occasions in the House. We all get some things wrong sometimes. If we do not address issues which require to be dealt with and if we simply remain paralysed when confronted with difficulties, however, then nothing would ever change. The status quo would continue to obtain to the detriment of people in this State. I will continue to do the best job I can as Minister for Justice and Equality.

In the context of this evening's commentary, a constant refrain has been employed. I refer to the fact that I am continually accused - in a very personalised way - of a variety of different failures. None of us is perfect. If I attempt to respond in kind in this House to the manner in which I am treated, I am labelled as being arrogant and overbearing. Apparently it is not acceptable, in any circumstances ever, for me to respond to some of the taunts and vilification directed at me. Listening to the Members opposite, one would think that I was public enemy No. 1. One would also believe that the issues we have been addressing in recent weeks only arose since 9 March 2011. Every Member of this House, including those opposite, know that is not true. The Guerin inquiry is examining a whole range of allegations relating to court cases, Garda matters, matters relating to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, all of which occurred during the lifetime of the previous Government.

The Members opposite want to maintain the continuing fiction, the basis of which is that if one says it frequently enough then it becomes the narrative that everyone believes. I keep on hearing it broadcast back to me that when all of those issues were brought to my attention I ignored them, rather than the truth which is that within 24 hours of learning of them we proceeded to act and to seek responses on all of these issues.

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