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

I want to begin by addressing a matter of substantial importance. On 1 October 2013 in a Topical Issue debate on the penalty points issue, I made a statement that the whistleblowers did not co-operate with the Garda investigations that took place in respect of their allegations.

I appreciate that this statement has been the source of some upset and distress to the whistleblowers. I have looked again at the information provided to me and considered the matter in detail. I previously stated on the Dáil record that I expected that Sergeant McCabe would be interviewed during the course of the O'Mahoney investigation and I note that he fully engaged with the Garda Inspectorate in the work undertaken by it to prepare the report which is the subject matter of today's debate.

I want to say very clearly that, having re-examined the facts and further considered the matter, I believe more should have been done during the course of the O'Mahoney investigation to obtain information from and ascertain the views and experiences of the whistleblowers. Further and better efforts could and should have been made to secure productive engagement with them in the investigation of their claims.

I therefore wish to correct the record of the House that the whistleblowers "did not co-operate with the Garda investigations that took place". I acknowledge this statement was incorrect. It was never my intention to mislead the House and I believe it is appropriate that I apologise to both people and withdraw the statements made.

See this speech in context