Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

An Garda Síochána is, once again, at the centre of more allegations of wrongdoing - let us acknowledge these are allegations - and there is undoubtedly a crisis of confidence again in a Garda Commissioner. In fact, it is almost like Groundhog Day.

Yesterday, the Taoiseach stated that the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality would appoint a judge to assess the protected disclosures she received relating to serious allegations of an orchestrated campaign to undermine and smear Garda whistleblowers. Is that still the case?

This morning, as has been said, it has been reported in several outlets that the two whistleblowers whose cases were first raised by the Irish Examinerwill not co-operate with any inquiry whilst the Garda Commissioner remains in place. How, in the face of such a development, is the Tánaiste proposing to move this process forward? Will the Garda Commissioner stand aside? We all agree that these are very serious allegations and issues and that we need clarity.

This is merely part of a trend by some in An Garda Síochána who, it is alleged, have been given carte blancheby the Garda Commissioner, Ms Nóirín O'Sullivan, to hound and discredit whistleblowers. Let us remember this is all on the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald's watch because she is the Garda Commissioner's boss. Ms O'Sullivan reports to the Tánaiste. Has the Tánaiste spoken to the Garda Commissioner on these matters? Has the Tánaiste received a report from her?

Clearly, the Tánaiste has questions to answer in relation to these revelations as well. Does the Tánaiste have on her desk other complaints from Garda whistleblowers alleging harassment and intimidation? Yesterday, Deputy Clare Daly stated here in the Dáil that a Garda whistleblower wrote directly to the Tánaiste on four occasions outlining the treatment he was experiencing.

Is that true and what did the Tánaiste do about it? Yesterday, the Taoiseach stated his absolute confidence in the Garda Commissioner. I ask the Tánaiste if she has absolute confidence in the Garda Commissioner because the whistleblowers clearly do not. Let me repeat the questions to which I want answers. When will the judge be appointed? Will the Commissioner stand aside? Does the Tánaiste have other whistleblower allegations on her desk? Does she have absolute confidence in the Garda Commissioner?

See this speech in context