Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am reminded that an old tactic is to descend the exchange into ruaile buaile and the Taoiseach will get away without answering the questions. I will ask him the same questions as did Deputy Martin. Does the Taoiseach agree that the Garda Inspectorate report to be published today has serious implications for the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter? It would seem, from the leaks we have noted this morning, that the report vindicates the actions of the whistleblowers, Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe and former Garda John Wilson. This begs the question of why the Minister attempted to discredit Sergeant McCabe - it was on the floor of this House that he did it - accusing him of failing to co-operate with an internal Garda investigation into alleged misconduct.

Has the Taoiseach spoken to the Minister about the Garda Inspectorate report? Will the Minister come into the House and correct the record? Has the Taoiseach asked him to do so and, if not, why has he not asked him? Will the Minister apologise to Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe? Will the Taoiseach take the opportunity to apologise to Garda Sergeant McCabe and former Garda John Wilson? They have both been subjected to a very serious, personally targeted smear campaign - of that there can be no question. It is incumbent on the Taoiseach, as Head of Government, to make an apology on the floor of the Dáil to both of these gentlemen.

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