Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach’s Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, described the Garda whistleblowers as distinguished. Other than that, there has been no real encouragement from the Government for those who take such courageous actions. For anyone to step forward again, it would take an even greater act of bravery than before.

In the past week, I was approached under the Garda Síochána Act by a serving member of the Garda with a serious allegation of corruption within the national drugs squad. This morning, I brought the evidence I was presented with to GSOC, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, in the company of former garda, John Wilson. However, the problem we have is that the garda who gave me the evidence is terrified that members of the Garda who are serving with GSOC could somehow leak this information and, as a result, evidence would be tampered with. The garda in question may have no need to be afraid but that is beside the point. The bigger issue is that so long as serving members of the Garda are working within GSOC, how can such distinguished people trust it.

I understand the Government is reviewing the operation of GSOC but it is all taking too long. In the meantime, however, those who wish to seek justice are left with nowhere to go, except for our offices. The Taoiseach did have the opportunity last year in the House to act but, instead, he rubbished Deputy Wallace’s policing Bill, dismissing it by stating there was no problem at all.

It was a worrying ordeal for the garda in question to go to GSOC today, given his understandable concern about confidentiality. However, this worry was significantly increased this morning when it became obvious that we were under surveillance by an unmarked Garda car while waiting in the now infamous Insomnia cafe adjacent to GSOC’s premises. John Wilson, who was there with me for support, left the cafe momentarily to establish what was going on.

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