Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Let me deal with this record first and with the motion. The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality has outlined very clearly, including in recent weeks, the progress that has been made in dealing with the issue of whistleblowing. The only aim that this Government has had is serving the public interest. The only objective that has ever motivated decisions made by the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Katherine Zappone, or anybody else in the Cabinet, is to get to the truth to ensure the national interest is served. This is illustrated by the decision that the previous Government, a Government led by Fine Gael, made to bring in legislation on protected disclosures and independent oversight mechanisms in regard to An Garda Síochána. This is demonstrated by the way in which the Tánaiste responded to the protected disclosures she received. They were referred within four days to a judge. The judge did his work, came back and make recommendations, all of which the Government was seeking to implement. This is illustrated finally by the commitment the Taoiseach has made that we will go ahead with putting in place a tribunal to make sure we meet the Government's objectives of getting to the truth and serving the national and public interest.

Allow me to address some of the points made in this debate. First, let me deal with the points made by Deputies Catherine Murphy and Ruth Coppinger, in particular. There is a special place in hypocrisy heaven for the kinds of claims they have made in the debate. Two Deputies who have stood up on so many occasions asking our citizens to break the law-----

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