Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Last night on the national broadcaster's "Six One News", elements of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate report were leaked and the Minister for Justice and Equality gave an interview about the report and reforms that may emanate from its recommendations, in advance of any consideration by the Cabinet of this report. He did so in a selective and self-serving manner. This brings the level of news management and damage limitation synonymous with the Government to a new level. It was wrong in the context of the gravity and impact of the report. I have been asking for this report for a number of weeks in conjunction with other issues we were discussing in the House. However, for obvious reasons it was not ready for publication some weeks ago.

It appears the report indicates major administrative dysfunction, the failure of management oversight and a context and a sense of material that is absolutely in stark contrast to the O'Mahony report into penalty point cancellations. It would appear that the report is a vindication of the whistleblowers who brought these issues to light. One of the whistleblowers was interviewed by the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, which in itself is interesting. At the heart of this issue is the treatment of whistleblowers in the system. The whistleblowers in this case were isolated, undermined, denied access to records and to the PULSE system. They were told by the Garda Commissioner that their behaviour was disgusting. The Minister for Justice and Equality, however, brought it to a new level when on the floor of this House he said they did not co-operate with the investigations of the authorities and, in particular, with the O'Mahony investigation.

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