Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste. I do not raise it as a joke and think the Tánaiste is missing the point. It is the Minister for Justice and Equality we are talking about because of the events since he was appointed Minister for Justice and Equality and the way he has treated the public and An Garda Síochána. The events of last week involving the fixed penalty points controversy highlighted the principle that there must be one law in this country that is applied to all citizens. They also highlight the ongoing need to restore and maintain public confidence in the institutions of the State - that is a duty of the Tánaiste - and not to allow a perception to develop that there are complete double standards operating here. I hope the Tánaiste thinks it is funny, like many other things happening to this country that the Government seems to think are funny and the misery into which people are put. I do not expect him to know, but I would expect him to inform himself, to ask the Taoiseach to inform himself and to ask the Minister to come before the House again to make a statement to clarify the matter and to make the Garda report available.

See this speech in context