Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, contrary to the manner in which people wish to present it, I have not cast any aspersions or made any comment about anyone's honour. I refer to the statement I issued on the day when Assistant Commissioner O'Mahony's report was published. People choose to cherry-pick the bits that fit the narrative. I do not mean that Deputy Ó Snodaigh is doing that. In that statement I pointed out a number of things. I pointed out that in the context of both former Garda Wilson and current Sergeant Maurice McCabe, that with regard to the ticket charge issue, many of the serious allegations made against members of An Garda Síochána have not been substantiated. The most serious allegations were that as a consequence of ticket charges not being paid, there had been seven road fatalities. That would be a most serious matter if that were true. That allegation was very substantially investigated and it was not true.

I said in my statement:

It appears there have been cases where clearly laid out procedures for the cancellation of notices were not followed, for example, where tickets were cancelled by some superintendents outside their Garda district areas. It also appears that in some cases, detailed records were not maintained. I am conscious that even where correct procedures were followed, the subjectivity of judgments made in accepting petitions for the cancellation of fixed charge notices inevitably leaves room for disagreement on individual decisions. It is clear from the report I received from the Garda Commissioner that strengthened procedures and protocols with regard to the cancellation of fixed charge notices are necessary and should without delay be put in place.

I listed a series of issues that quite clearly would not have been addressed without both of those members of the Garda Síochána raising these issues and I have repeated this. I will answer the questions from both Deputy Ó Snodaigh and Deputy Martin. I refer to the extract about which Members of the House are creating some controversy, where I made a reference to the level of co-operation. I specifically said, "It is only fair to acknowledge that these reports [of Assistant Commissioner O'Mahony] and their findings and recommendations are in response to allegations of improper cancellation of fixed charge notices." I have expressly acknowledged this a number of times. I am not casting aspersions on the honour of individuals. I would question a member of An Garda Síochána secretly taping other individuals. If that was happening in other circumstances there would be uproar in this House.

I ask the Acting Chairman to allow me one minute because I know that Deputies want me to deal with this.

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