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

I do not know if the Taoiseach has read the report in today's Irish Examinerin relation to whistleblowers being strategically undermined and under attack, both their personal and professional reputations, at the instigation of senior Garda management. Disclosures have now been made to that effect by a senior officer of the force that essentially this campaign involved dissemination of texts across a range of gardaí and the opening of an intelligence file on the whistleblowers, undermining the whistleblowers in relation to their character. In essence, it was a character assassination attack, that this was organised and that people who engaged in it were engaging in it under instruction. I note that this matter is being passed to the Minister but it demands a fairly dramatic response from the Government. It cannot just be allowed drift into a process. There have been calls to the effect that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission needs greater powers and legislative change. There is an amendment to the Garda Síochána Act with respect to GSOC to deal with some of the issues that Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring raised regarding complaints regarding Garda whistleblowers and the investigation of them. Can the Taoiseach not only confirm that these amending powers will be granted but that the Government is taking this report very seriously? It is above and beyond just a GSOC investigation. It is above and beyond an investigation into wrongdoing. It is at a very high level of wrongdoing, if I can put it that way to the Taoiseach, without pre-empting any inquiry. It seems to be something that is of the gravest import, if it is true. Disclosures have been made and I believe it is extremely serious. I ask if legislation in this area will be brought forward.

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