Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have agreed to the appointment of a new Garda Commissioner by open competition, which is a major reform, and to the establishment of a new independent policing authority, which had been agreed in 2006 in the Mullingar accord between Fine Gael and Labour and which is now more necessary than ever.

While all of these decisions are being made, Fianna Fáil's response is not to focus on getting the decisions or the reform right. What it regards as a good outcome from this crisis in the justice system is the resignation of a Minister. That is the end it wants.

If one considers the Minister's record in a broader sense, his legislative record it is remarkable. Since coming to office, he has enacted 21 pieces of legislation, is currently overseeing five Bills that are being progressed through the Houses and is drafting a further 14 Bills, some of which he has mentioned. He has tackled difficult and pressing issues head on like personal insolvency and the Magdalen laundries; he has dealt with two referenda on judicial pay and the court of appeal, both of which were passed by substantial majorities; he has begun a programme aimed at modernising our prison system, ending the practice of sending children to St. Patrick's Institution and securing Government approval for a new prison in Cork and the refurbishment of Mountjoy Prison; he has introduced significant reform in the justice system, especially by establishing a court of appeal; and he has introduced an innovative citizenship ceremony and cleared the backlog of applications that were left in limbo by the previous Government. As he stated, there has been a reduction of 16% in crime across the State since he took office. In addition to this significant work record, the Minister has tackled vested interests head on that Fianna Fáil never had the courage to take on while it was in government.

This Government has confidence in the Minister and his ability to continue the reform process, which is vital if we are to ensure that our gardaí have the confidence of the people and are equipped to meet the challenges of the future. That is our priority and we will not be distracted by Fianna Fáil's political gamesmanship.

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