Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach might have gotten away with that response to Deputy McDonald - if one could call it a response - if this was an isolated incidence of mistreatment of whistleblowers. I note the Taoiseach's confidence in the Minister and the Garda Commissioner is a bit like when he had 100% confidence to the last two occupants of those offices before it went to zero overnight.

Exactly two years ago this week, I put it to the Taoiseach that a Garda whistleblower in the midlands region had come forward with serious information regarding Garda involvement in the drugs trade. The information was indisputable. That individual, Nick Keogh, has subsequently been vindicated by an internal Garda inquiry supporting his allegations in that regard. Nevertheless, two and a half years on, this whistleblower has been out sick for almost a year and is surviving on just over €200 per week. He has had five internal investigations drummed up against him. Medical certificates submitted that stated he was out with work-related stress were changed to indicating absence from flu. Meanwhile, the superintendent who stood over all that is on the promotions list.

The Taoiseach was twice approached by a garda in that division and warned about a senior officer who failed to deal with complaints in that area. Twice since he was approached, that senior officer was promoted, including being hand-picked by the Garda Commissioner for a high-profile job in the Phoenix Park, despite three complaints from Garda whistleblowers against him. Four times one of the Garda whistleblowers wrote directly to the Minister for Justice and Equality and told her of the treatment he was experiencing. He made the point that as his colleague in a different region was getting exactly the same treatment, it could not be a coincidence and it was inconceivable that senior management and the Garda Commissioner would not be aware of it. Deputy Wallace and I have raised what has been happening to whistleblowers Nick Keogh and Keith Harrison - who is out for two years, surviving on a pittance with a young family - 19 times. His post has been opened and Garda patrol cars have cruised down a lane on which he lived, 25 km from the nearest Garda station. The HSE has called to his children. This has all happened on Garda Commissioner O'Sullivan's watch.

How many examples does the Taoiseach need presented to him of the gulf between the public statements of the Garda Commissioner and her private actions in terms of dealing with whistleblowers before he will act? The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality has had evidence from the O'Higgins commission of investigation, a section 41 complaint from the civilian head of An Garda Síochána and, most shockingly, she has had the protected disclosures of two senior gardaí outlining systematic, organised, orchestrated campaigns not just to discredit a whistleblower but to annihilate him, with the full involvement of the current and former Garda Commissioners.

What in God's name does the Taoiseach need another investigation for? Is it not patently obvious that it is beyond time-----

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