Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The truth is the truth, whether it is told to the Fennelly commission, the Oireachtas committee or the Members of this House and the people. The truth does not change. There is no impediment, legal or otherwise, preventing Mr. Purcell or the Taoiseach from coming before the parliamentary committee or this House and providing answers as to what exactly happened and what led to the forced departure of the former Garda Commissioner, Martin Callinan. That fact has not changed and we still do not have an answer to that question. That answer must be forthcoming.

The Tánaiste outlined the policy response and I agree there has been positive movement in a number of respects. However, a number of disturbing features have emerged in recent days. First is the fact that Sergeant Maurice McCabe clearly feels he is not being properly treated within An Garda Síochána. If media reports are to be believed, he has lodged 13 separate complaints. Why is that happening? Why is it the Acting Commissioner was under the impression that Garda management was in daily contact with Sergeant McCabe when the evidence points in the other direction? The Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, needs to contact the Acting Commissioner to get to the bottom of that matter immediately.

Why are Mr. Purcell and the Taoiseach not willing to provide a free and open account of the events that led to the resignation of Martin Callinan? That is not an issue that can just be buried in the Fennelly commission. It is an issue of fundamental public importance. If we are to restore confidence in the justice system, there is an imperative that these answers are forthcoming now. There is no reason we must wait for the Fennelly commission to conclude its work.

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