Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am sorry I have to speak on this issue which has been handled extremely badly. I would never blame anyone who makes a mistake because, as my father always said, the person who never made a mistake never made anything. How could the Government make so many mistakes in the handling of the aftermath of this case?

I am shocked and horrified by the way Sergeant Maurice McCabe and other gardaí have been treated by the hierarchy of An Garda Síochána. In making that point, I should also point out to the Minister for Justice and Equality that throughout Ireland there are highly respectable, dependable and sound members of An Garda Síochána. They are honest, straightforward people who get up in the morning, do their duty and put their lives on the line to help other people. They do not know when they are in a squad car or riding a bicycle on the street whether they will face people with guns, drug crime and so on. We must acknowledge that there are decent, honest and hard-working gardaí. Unfortunately, when some people get shiny buttons, they seem to lose their heads and think they are small gods. Politicians have subsequently dealt with the matter badly.

I ask that people be treated with respect from now on. For God's sake, everyone is trying to do their job. If people have a problem in their workplace and make an honest to God complaint, it should be handled properly by the hierarchy of the organisation in question, whether it is An Garda Síochána or politicians who are dealing with the issue. Tusla, an organisation that has done great work, has lost much of the esteem in which it was held and has a great deal of ground to make up in restoring it.

It would be far better to be accused of murder than any type of interference with children. I am very sorry this happened. The tribunal of inquiry must go ahead.

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