Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not believe the interim Garda Commissioner is obliged to wait until the commission of investigation has completed its work before initiating changes in response to the Guerin report and in respect of some of the issues the Deputy has identified. I have been assured that work is under way regarding this matter. Changes are currently being made - and others will be made in the future - in respect of various recommendations in the Guerin report.

The Deputy also inquired about legislative change. The Guerin report makes a number of points about matters in respect of which legislative change should be considered. I will certainly analyse those but I am not in a position to comment on them at present.

It will be possible for Garda whistleblowers to report under the terms of the Protected Disclosures Bill, which was recently passed by the House. One can never be absolutely sure with regard to the question the Deputy asked in the context of how organisations deal with whistleblowers. There has been enormous focus on this issue and there is a new awareness about it. As a country we are learning more about it. It is obvious that mistakes have been made. The Garda must make it clear that whistleblowers will be dealt with in an appropriate manner and that suitable systems will be put in place to facilitate this. As the Deputy and I are aware, a number of issues arose recently in the context of Sergeant McCabe's return to work. The interim Garda Commissioner returned to the relevant Oireachtas committee and provided it with further information designed to address concerns about the issues in question. I am of the view that there is a new approach to whistleblowers within the force, but it is clear that the position in this regard with have to be monitored on an ongoing basis by the Garda authorities and me.

See this speech in context