Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have clarity on that.

The Taoiseach is entrusting the setting of the terms of reference for this inquiry - it is an inquiry, not a review - to the Minister for Justice and Equality. Can the Taoiseach see how there is a difficulty not only for Members of the Dáil but for members of the public with that approach? The Minister, Deputy Shatter, has been deliberately evasive and has used tactics deliberately to distract attention from the issues at play in respect of this GSOC debacle. He has done that consistently and all of us, not only here but in the wider public, know that. Why leave the terms of reference in his hands? Why ask that inquiry to report back directly to him? Why would this inquiry not report to the Houses of the Oireachtas? Can we be guaranteed, for instance, that the full report, as and when it finds its way back to the Minister, will be made public? We need reassurances on these matters. We also need assurance that the judge in question will not only have access willy-nilly to expertise should the need arise, but will have an established panel of experts to assist that person in carrying out his or her inquiry. The judge would also have to know that he or she would have the power to compel, if necessary, different individuals, including, perhaps, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, to co-operate with the inquiry and, for that matter, the Garda Commissioner or any personnel from GSOC.

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