Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The question here is in respect of the information received under the Protected Disclosures Act. That has been received by the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality. She has to assess it and appoint a person of competence to deal with it. As I said, whatever is in that documentation either stands up or it does not. In that regard, this is a very serious matter.

The powers of GSOC are there for all to see but the Chair, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring, has requested that those powers be extended and the Minister is considering that. The independent Policing Authority has been asked for its views on the treatment of whistleblowers or those within An Garda Síochána who make disclosures about wrong doing or alleged wrong doing. From that point of view, as I said, whistleblowers should not be in a position like that outlined by Deputy Clare Daly in respect of two members of An Garda Síochána. Obviously, if these investigations have been pursued - whether by GSOC or internally - the matter must be concluded. Whistleblowers have always provided a valuable service in the public interest and I respect that completely and will defend it. In the case of the most recent documentation received by the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, we must proceed by appointing a person of ability to go through that documentation and assess whether the contents stand up. I expect that the Tánaiste will make an announcement about that very soon.

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