Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The substantive reason for Sinn Féin's motion of no confidence in this Fine Gael-led minority Government is the assertion that the controversy over Sergeant Maurice McCabe has been mishandled and cannot be properly investigated. There is no doubt that Sergeant McCabe has been grossly mistreated by senior management of An Garda Síochána and Tusla and several inquiries have failed to clear his good name fully. The full extent of the orchestrated campaign of vilification, undermining of his motivation and smearing of his name by accusations of sexual abuse is astounding and requires to be fully, publicly and satisfactorily investigated. The establishment of a sworn tribunal of inquiry is now the only transparent and proper course of action to take. The inquiry must cover other identified members of the Garda who have made protected disclosures, had their careers damaged and had their reputations smeared. Their cases should be progressed in parallel to allow the tribunal to complete its work in nine months. After all, allegations of illegal activity and improper conduct are not confined to Sergeant McCabe.

While Sergeant McCabe is the most high profile case, all whistleblowers have suffered in equal measure. There is a common pattern of smearing, undermining and mistreatment. Accusations of child abuse seem to be an instrument used to discredit those who challenge wrongdoing in the Garda Síochána. Should the Government fall on this issue, the inquiry will be set back by an indeterminate period, resulting in Sergeant McCabe and others who have made protected disclosures having to wait even longer for justice. The Government has been damaged by this controversy and lessons need to be learned about listening to those who highlight deficiencies in all State agencies, not only An Garda Síochána. We must restore confidence and trust in the Garda and the impartial application of the law.

The Government should be allowed to establish a public sworn tribunal of inquiry and redouble its efforts to bring this appalling saga to an end. A general election on this issue would not be in the best interests of Sergeant McCabe or other members of the force.

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