Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is talking about a number of areas here where things can be done better, better organisation, etc. I was surprised the Minister did not address the issue that the CSO statistics showed there has been a serious massaging of crime figures. That was highlighted by it. It reminds me that I gave the Minister evidence of the massaging of crime figures in the Athlone area almost a year ago but I never heard back from her. The Minister acknowledged it but I did not hear anything since, unless I missed it.

On all these measures, I can see the rationale behind what is happening here. It is well-intentioned, but as long as the top hierarchy of the organisation of An Garda Síochána remains as dysfunctional as it is, a lot of this is merely aspirational. We are aware of the fact that this has probably been brought home strongly to the Minister by the document that landed on her desk on Monday morning last which, I am sure she will aware, is fairly frightening. At this stage, if the Minister really wants to make these aspirations that she has discussed here this morning a reality, should she not first deal with the fact that we need new leadership in An Garda Síochána? We do not need another investigation. We do not need any more inquiries. The Minister has enough evidence now to see that it was a mistake to give Ms Nóirín O'Sullivan Mr. Callinan's job.

We are paying a price for it and the longer the problem is not addressed, the worse it will get.