Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I wish to come to the start of this issue where two Garda whistleblowers raised some serious questions and did so through the proper procedures and channels that they were allowed to use. The question was about the unequal application of the law and a certain culture of at least some senior gardaí. The penalty points issue was not the only concern. They were ignored, used the proper channels and came to TDs, which was their right. This involves an important issue of the equal application of the law and what it means for society, reputation, impartiality and policing.

We do not have the problems of other countries where there is widespread serious corruption and unlawful actions by the police, as well as places where it is positively dangerous to come into contact with the police. I stress that we do not have that situation in Ireland, but the issues we have raised do have serious implications and should have been of more concern to the Minister. His dismissive attitude has been absolutely contemptible. The whistleblowers have been isolated and one has had to retire from his job.

Deputy Mick Wallace has been slandered by the Minister. I have been vilified for naming names to try to put the issue on the serious platform that is required. The fact is that the whistleblowers, as well as TDs such as myself, Clare Daly, Mick Wallace and Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, have been vindicated, compared to those who tried to sweep the issues under the carpet.

An independent inquiry is needed and a genuinely independent Ombudsman's office. I support the no confidence motion. It was a misjudgment on national television to use information from a conversation with the Garda Commissioner to undermine a TD. It was done smugly and with glee.

I am also supporting the motion because of the Minister's inability to deal with the insolvency crisis and mortgage debt, as well as families who are in deep crisis with their mortgages.

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