Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not want to be here raising these matters. I would like the Tánaiste to do her job, which is to hold the Garda Commissioner to account and see that justice is done in protecting whistleblowers. The Tánaiste has told us that there is a process in place. She will be aware that the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality unanimously adopted a report which was published yesterday and which highlighted the shortcomings in Garda oversight, one of which relates to GSOC.

It is very convenient for the Tánaiste to say she cannot talk about a matter because GSOC is dealing with it. Nothing that GSOC is dealing with is relevant to the correspondence the Tánaiste has received, which includes very detailed information about current bullying and harassment of serving members of the Garda Síochána and the Commissioner's role in it. The Tánaiste cannot delegate the matter to GSOC. She cannot say that she will not meet people who have gone before GSOC, given that she has met other people in this situation. It is an excuse. I do not know how long the Tánaiste thinks she can run from what is happening. There are serious issues. Yesterday, the joint committee made the point that whistleblowers should be protected and that those who violate their rights should be disciplined. The Tánaiste is the person who has the ability to do this . Again, I ask her to meet the people involved.

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