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

Regarding Templemore college, the Deputy referenced a story which I think appeared in The Sunday Times. That was in the public arena, and questions were answered on it in the justice committee well before it was. Detailed information was put on the record about the audit and the actions that were being taken internally to deal with what had been uncovered by the audit of the college. That is the reality of the situation. However, what was put in the public arena is unacceptable in practice and governance terms, and that must be changed. My understanding at this point is that procedures have been changed. They were far too informal, but action has been taken internally to address that. I am very happy to come into the House to talk about this at some point and put all the information I have on the floor of the Dáil.

Regarding the various issues that have arisen with An Garda Síochána, I have never denied that ongoing change, modernisation and reform is necessary as far as the Garda is concerned. That is the job of management and the job of Government in so far as I and the Government can set the parameters that will help that reform and that change. That is what I have done in establishing the independent Policing Authority, which is a sea change in the way the oversight of An Garda Síochána is done in this country. It is extremely important that we now have the independent Policing Authority dealing with a whole range of issues. I did refer the question of whistleblowing and how it was dealt with in An Garda Síochána to the independent Policing Authority many months ago. I have received the report from the authority about that. It suggested a number of improvements, and they have been dealt with. I will not take up the time of the House in putting on the record the other changes that have been made within An Garda Síochána regarding whistleblowing, but it is important to say that the manner in which whistleblowing is dealt with is an area that every organisation must examine. Any time I have had discussions with An Garda Síochána, my questions have concerned the examination of how well whistleblowers were being dealt with and the procedures that were in place. I have always been looking for improvements in this regard, and that work goes on.

As far as the Commissioner's position is concerned, I make the point that regarding Judge O'Neill's inquiry, the various parties co-operated fully with the O'Neill review, and I have no doubt but that they will do the very same when it comes to the commission of investigation. This is a commission with strong powers, and everybody has said they will co-operate with it. I will not repeat what the Deputy said about the Garda Commissioner's statement, but the Garda Commissioner made a statement last night outlining her view and her response. I have no reason to believe that is not the truth of her situation. We must take the statement she made last night. I will not question it the way the Deputy has. It is a very serious charge to make against anyone that he or she would, by innuendo - this is what is being suggested - try to obstruct the work of a commission of investigation in any way. It is extremely unfair to make such a charge when there is no evidence whatsoever to support it. Let us remind ourselves that a commission of investigation has very extensive legal powers, should there be any obstruction of its work.

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