Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would have thought the Court of Appeal's ruling today would have been an intense reminder to Members that we should take stock and reflect before making allegations in the House. The good name and reputation of all individuals deserve respect and fair procedures. The Deputy is making various points about a report a judge is currently conducting and which is due next week. She has stated she has access to details of it. I do not. It is an independent report by a judge. As the House is aware, I appointed Mr. Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill to review allegations of wrongdoing set out in some protected disclosures made to me. In addition to reviewing the allegations, Mr. Justice O'Neill has been asked to report on his conclusions, in a preliminary report, and make any recommendation he considers necessary on further action deemed to be appropriate or warranted. The report and review have been commenced and the judge was asked to report within six weeks. He will report next week and I have no reason to believe this deadline will not be met. As soon as I receive the report, I will consider it very carefully and examine the recommendations made. The Government will decide on future action to be taken on the points made by the Deputy.

I asked Mr. Justice O'Neill to conduct this review because I was very concerned, as I have stated in the House previously, about the content of the material I had received. That is why I decided this should be done.

The Garda Commissioner has indicated publicly that the Garda Síochána will co-operate fully with any examination of these matters. How the judge conducts his business during these six weeks is a matter for him. I will get the report, I will examine it and I will decide on action relating to the issues he has examined. It was thought that, as a first assessment, it would be extremely useful to ask a judge to examine the material that was given to me. If for any reason, he has concerns about the level of co-operation I have no doubt he will make them very clear. I will read his report with great interest when I receive it next week.

See this speech in context