Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to put three issues to the Taoiseach followed by a question, all arising from the statement made today by the Minister, Deputy Shatter. The fact is, and Teachta Martin has dealt with this to some degree, that the Minister accused Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe of not co-operating. That is clear. He did not take the opportunity to rectify that during his statement. In the Committee of Public Accounts in response to a question by Teachta Mary Lou McDonald, John O'Mahony responded that he did not interview Maurice McCabe and he did not seek to interview Maurice McCabe - so it is clear. There was an opportunity for the Minister to rectify that and he did not do so. I now ask the Taoiseach to consider doing so.

Second, the Minister did not even mention the sacking of the confidential recipient - the only head to roll. Could some explanation be given to this Oireachtas as to why this man was sacked?

Finally, because we did not get this clear yesterday, could the Taoiseach outline to me and explain to the Dáil why he did not establish an independent inquiry under the Commission of Investigations Act 2004 when he has at his disposal legislation which he could have utilised and when he has an Act whereby the person or persons appointed to conduct an investigation can compel all witnesses and documentation and make findings of fact without huge cost and in a timely fashion? I put this question to the Minister earlier but I ask the Taoiseach why did he himself not act in this manner? Why does the Government not set up an independent inquiry under the terms that are provided under the 2004 Act? Those are the three issues to which I would ask him to respond.

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