Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, the Taoiseach told Members that a group within An Garda Síochána, perhaps a secret group, has been bugging gardaí, Irish citizens and their lawyers for several decades. When I heard this, it sounded to me like the actions of the old Stasi in East Germany. As all Members are aware, the implications for cases before the courts and for existing sentences are unknown but may be profound. Members have heard allegations of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, being bugged. The report on penalty points has been published. The whistleblowers have been smeared both by their own Commissioner and by the Minister, Deputy Shatter. The Commissioner has resigned and now Members have received news of widespread bugging. Yesterday's news has shocked an already demoralised police force and undoubtedly has eroded further public trust in An Garda Síochána. The task ahead is herculean in respect of driving substantial change in An Garda Síochána and rebuilding the trust not merely of the public but of rank-and-file gardaí in their own police force.

I have a great deal of respect for the Minister, Deputy Shatter, as a legislator. His insolvency legislation probably is the single most important measure this Government has taken to solve the mortgage crisis. However, the challenges ahead must be led by a Minister who commands the respect of An Garda Síochána, the Oireachtas and the public. Regrettably, it is clear that the Minister, Deputy Shatter, no longer is that person. There simply are too many questions. Why did the Attorney General approach the Taoiseach rather than the Minister? Why has the Minister still not withdrawn his remarks about the whistleblowers? Why has the Minister still not called on the former Commissioner to withdraw his outrageous remarks about the whistleblowers? Why did the Minister attack GSOC when it raised concerns about being bugged? Why did the Minister fire the confidential recipient for doing his job? Why did the Minister use confidential information to smear Deputy Wallace on national television? Why is the Attorney General not willing to discuss sensitive information with the leader of this country by telephone? The Minister does not have the trust of rank-and-file gardaí. He does not have the trust of the Oireachtas. He does not have the trust of GSOC and he does not have the trust of the public. Moreover, he would appear not to have the trust of the Attorney General. While he may have the Taoiseach's trust, that is not enough for what must happen. Consequently, together with many others, I must ask the Taoiseach whether he will put the interests of An Garda Síochána and the public ahead of his loyalty to the Minister, Deputy Shatter, and ask for him to step back, based on the amount of work that must be done and the person who will be needed to drive that work.

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