Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I was going to instance that very legislation, having worked for a very long time to protect whistleblowers. We have a very poor record in this jurisdiction of listening to whistleblowers or acting upon their information.

I have not seen the report because the Government has not provided it to us, although it has caused a commission of investigation without any discussion with the Opposition parties, which is most unusual. Everybody is entitled to the presumption of innocence but issues that warrant a full investigation must be fully ventilated and fully investigated. As I said, in the normal course of events, when there serious issues like these that go to the heart of the administration of justice in our State, people will be asked to stand aside, without any predetermination of outcome, until there is a full, fair and complete investigation of all the matters concerned and a determination of the outcome. Our primary duty is to ensure that we restore confidence to An Garda Síochána, which has been battered and bruised by many investigations and allegations. I believe that means we must have decisive and clear action from all sides of this House.

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