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

This afternoon, we will debate the establishment of a commission of investigation into whistleblower allegations that go to the heart of Garda administration. I welcome that. It is long overdue. The protected disclosures that are the subject of the commission outline an alleged orchestrated campaign by some in senior Garda management positions to undermine Sergeant Maurice McCabe. Those allegations include the distribution of text messages to attack his reputation, the opening of intelligence files on him, the monitoring of his activities, the briefing of elements of the media and selected politicians alleging criminal wrongdoing by Sergeant McCabe. These are incredibly serious issues. They go to the very core of our policing and justice systems. What is alleged is a comprehensive campaign of character assassination, a calculated campaign to destroy the standing of a serving member of An Garda Síochána and a cynical campaign that sought out allies among the compliant sections of the mainstream media and politicians. This is, to borrow the phrase, a truly terrible vista. The idea of the forces of law and order turning on an officer of the law, a man who has done the State some service and a citizen prepared to step forward and speak out is an outrage. It is an outrage that begs the most fundamental questions about the fair administration of justice and the authorities entrusted with upholding the law. Sergeant McCabe's offence, it seems, was to blow the whistle on Garda malpractice in penalty points. Is this what happens when someone stands up to wrongdoing? Is this how someone is treated when they stand up and raise concerns regarding practices within the upper echelons of An Garda Síochána? It seems the actions of some in senior Garda management are perhaps summed up best by the words of the former Garda Commissioner, Martin Callinan. Their actions are disgusting.

Yesterday, an Teachta Brendan Howlin put allegations on the record of this House. I will not repeat them but they are incredibly serious. Suffice to say they allege a vile and, quite frankly, evil attempt by An Garda Síochána at the very top to ruin a man's character and standing. We in Sinn Féin have previously called for Garda Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan to step aside, without prejudice, for the duration of the commission of investigation's work. That is a basic requirement for public confidence and vital for the battered morale of serving members of An Garda Síochána.

My questions are straightforward. Does the Tánaiste have confidence in the Garda Commissioner? Will she do the right thing and ask her to step aside from her duties, without prejudice, for the duration of the Charleton commission's investigation?

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