Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Of course the allegations in the dossier are very serious but they are allegations. They are deeply wounding and traumatic for the victims' families and we need to appreciate all of that, but it is the Government's handling of these allegations which has caused the erosion of public confidence. If the Taoiseach misses that, he misses everything. We end up operating here in a bubble, impervious to the concerns of the citizens. The fact is that the Minister had the opportunity to set the record straight around the accusation that Maurice McCabe did not co-operate.

It is without question that the Minister miscalled that. He should be man enough to own up to that and, rather than defending him, the Taoiseach should have a word in his ear after this to try to rectify that particular element.

It may not be the most important element but we are in the public eye and we are used to the blizzard of media controversy that sometimes surrounds us. These are serving garda who are not used to, as their families are not used to, this type of treatment. I am not impressed or persuaded by the Taoiseach's defence of not going for the type of independent inquiry under the Commissions of Investigation Act that he has the ability to go for. He could have done that but he has decided not to. As we tell each other all the time here, politics is all about choice. The Taoiseach decided not to go for that option.

The Taoiseach also decided not to answer my question about the sacking of the confidential recipient. Summarily, he came to the House one day and announced that the guy was gone. Could we have an explanation? I was sent here by citizens who want me to represent their views. They are wondering what happened to this person. Could it be one of those strange ironies that he said to the-----

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