Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The fundamental reason I stand here this evening is to say to the Government that I am not really that concerned about the posts of the Taoiseach and the individual Ministers and their futures. What I am concerned about is the constant chipping away at the confidence and authority of An Garda Síochána and the justice system for which the Minister for Justice and Equality is responsible. Most of us are aware of the thousands of men and women of An Garda Síochána who serve this country every single day with great distinction and put their lives on the line every single day to protect us and our children and families and the institutions of this State. What is incumbent upon us as Members of the Dáil is to make sure that confidence is restored in An Garda Síochána and the justice system as speedily as possible. That will be done by the establishment of an independent public tribunal of inquiry with robust terms of reference because what I and Fianna Fáil are concerned about is getting to the truth and vindicating Sergeant Maurice McCabe and his family following the disgusting treatment that has been meted out to him and other colleagues in the force.

This is a deeply unpopular Government. The political expediency would be, should we have wished to do so, to take it down and go to the people and have an election and, with the help of God, increase our mandate. Those who have come to the democratic process late in the day - I accept they are still learning - they are here to serve the people, not the ard-chomhairle of Sinn Féin, and the provisional movement.

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