Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Amid all the political mud slinging in recent days, it is important to remind ourselves that this debate is about two central but distinct issues, and the Government's handling of those issues. The first issue is the alleged bugging of GSOC and the second is the way in which official Ireland responds to Garda whistleblowing. In respect of the latter, Sergeant Maurice McCabe is certainly owed an apology. The portrayal of his whistleblowing actions and those of his colleague John Wilson as "disgusting" is completely unacceptable. It sends a clear message to others considering speaking out that if they do, they will regret it.

The response of the Minister for Justice and Equality to this entire saga has been appalling in my view. He broadcasted allegations against Deputy Wallace based on tittle tattle, which was a disgrace. In any other country, he would be sacked for that alone. However, his most serious bad mouthing is in respect of Sergeant McCabe. He has consistently tried to peddle the untruth that Sergeant McCabe did not co-operate with the Garda inquiry into his allegations of Garda misconduct. This is despite the fact that Sergeant McCabe's good character has been attested to by many, including the former Garda Ombudsman, Conor Brady, and the former confidential recipient, Oliver Connolly.

The other central issue - arguably even more serious - is the allegation that GSOC was bugged. Again, there was a concerted campaign by the Government to rubbish these concerns. The incredible thing is that we still do not know if it was bugged and if it was, who was bugging it. The instinctive reaction of the Taoiseach and the Minister was to undermine GSOC by peddling more untruths about its legal responsibilities.

There is no question but that we need a full independent commission of investigation into all of these matters. We now have six different types of inquiry or review under way, none of which is adequate and most of which are simply delaying tactics. The public is not interested in whether or not the Minister can pin any of this on Fianna Fáil. The public wants to know whether or not the Minister, his colleagues in Fine Gael and his sleeping partners in the Labour Party, are up to the job of governing properly. Increasingly, the jury is out on that one.

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