Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The problem with the Taoiseach's response is that he tells us that whistleblowers should not be treated poorly and that he respects and defends that. However, our interpretations of what constitutes respect and defence must be different because the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality has been presented with evidence over a period of two and half years which shows that has not been the case. The Taoiseach tells us that GSOC has the powers, that its powers are there for all to see but is powers are not there for all to see. Even GSOC has said that it does not have the powers to deal with this situation. Did the Garda Commissioner's comments this morning to the effect that she wants to encourage whistleblowers within An Garda Síochána to come forward - despite all of the evidence that these people have been mistreated - not strike the Taoiseach as odd?

If the Garda Commissioner is not directly involved in the harassment, does the Taoiseach not have a problem with the fact that her authority has been so discredited that instructions she has allegedly given for whistleblowers to be protected are being completely ignored across the ranks of An Garda Síochána? That is the evidence that has been presented to the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality over a long period.

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