Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

I never liked the term "systems failure". It is a bit of a cop out when it is used so often. I do not see any evidence of a systems failure here. The evidence I have seen is of people taking bribes to pass test applicants. If there are systems issues, they relate to monitoring people while they conduct the tests. That is being improved and CCTV cameras are being introduced in the test centres to monitor what is happening. What happened in this case was that people took money to allow drivers cheat the testing system, but that is not a systems failure.

The Deputy's point with regard to RTE is valid. I would ask RTE to make available everything it can without compromising any commitments it made to people in terms of protecting their anonymity. I am sure it is possible to at least make the information available, without causing repercussions for the whistleblowers. I hope the whistleblowers understand that we are grateful they came forward and provided the information. It is important that whistleblowers are protected and acknowledged. I would hate to think whistleblowers in this situation would feel they might be penalised for what they did, because their action was a service to the State, the people and safety. We need as much information as possible so we can make the system watertight.

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