Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is enormous controversy about this issue, regardless of whether we or the Minister like it. I put it to her that there must be some significant intervention to deal with it comprehensively and transparently. Is it her intention to meet the chairperson of the Policing Authority to put it to the authority that it is important, in terms of accountability and transforming culture, that people with important points, allegations and assertions to make to improve performance ultimately will be protected? This is extraordinary when we read the transcripts as they are presented. I acknowledge that we may not be getting the full picture, but nonetheless they make fairly stark reading in terms of the attitude demonstrated. There was a suggestion yesterday that this was inquisitorial, but it is clear from the transcripts that in the initial phase it was adversarial in that there was almost an all-out, right through, attack on the credibility and motivation of Sergeant Maurice McCabe, the person making the allegation. It is important to note that we have moved from a position where the legal instructions and legal submissions were absolutely not to be discussed to one where now it is a matter of waiving legal privilege, which is a separate issue as regards being part of the Act. It should not have taken this long to have the matter cleared up and clarified. Will the Minister seek a meeting with the chairperson of the Policing Authority to have a comprehensive discussion with a view to working out a mechanism to deal comprehensively with this matter?

See this speech in context