Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

At this stage we are used to the Minister's approach to dealing with the Garda controversies over which he has presided. His approach consists of blanket denial for as long as possible in order to save face, followed by partial admission on a drip-drip basis through his favourite media, which hide the real extent and seriousness of the issues arising, misrepresentation of the facts and the law in this Chamber and, finally, frantic finger-pointing at anyone who might act as a fall guy and save his political career. He appears to give only incidental consideration to his ministerial duties, the reputation of and public confidence in An Garda Síochána or the administration of justice and fair application of the rule of law in this State. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil is the order of the day.

The Minister wants us to believe several claims. First, that nobody told him about the content of the June 2013 GSOC report, even though it has been in the public domain for almost a year. Even if he did know about it, the Minister and his Department did not consider it their responsibility to investigate whether the practice was widespread. He described it as an operational matter for the Garda, which is an expression he favours when off-loading culpability. Second, that in November 2013 the Minister's friend the Garda Commissioner issued a directive to senior gardaí to discontinue the widespread practice, but the Minister and his Department remained unaware of this until the Taoiseach told him about it a few days ago. Third, that a judge struck down the practice in open court but neither the Minister nor his Department ever heard about it. Fourth, that a working group was established in November, with the Commissioner and the Attorney General attending meetings, but nobody told the Minister about it and he never attended meetings. Fifth, that the advice of a senior counsel was sought but nobody told the Minister. Sixth, that a letter from the Commissioner which was marked "Urgent" and sent by courier was not brought to the Minister's attention until Monday or Tuesday despite being delivered two weeks ago. Seventh, that it is everybody's fault but the Minister's. Having dispensed with the confidential recipient and the Commissioner, and doing his best to do the same with GSOC, he now appears to blame the civil servants in his Department and the Attorney General. This Government, and particularly the Labour Party Members who appointed the Attorney General, will have to make a choice about who is to be sacrificed to survive the latest mess - the Secretary General, the Attorney General or the Minister. There has been too much for too long. The Minister has overstayed and he is no longer fit for office.

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