Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Rather ironically, I have some small semblance of confidence in the Government at this stage because finally it is doing what is right by Maurice McCabe and opening the way to doing what is right by the other whistleblowers, especially those who, like Maurice McCabe, have been having horrendous difficulties and stress in their lives because of the way in which whistleblowers have been treated. All of what has been happening, and especially what has happened this week, could have been avoided if the Government had heeded, acknowledged and acted on what Deputies Clare Daly and Mick Wallace have been highlighting here since they were elected in 2011. They were the ones who brought the issue of penalty points, whistleblowing and Maurice McCabe and others into the Dáil. They did not do it for publicity, they brought the issues here to be taken seriously and to be addressed. It was in everyone's interests to do this. What happened? Nothing. I acknowledge the hard work of Deputies Daly and Wallace in not giving up and their persistence and passion for justice which has finally seen a beginning on the road to justice for Maurice McCabe and others.

What happened showed the way in which defence battle lines are drawn up very quickly. Instead of taking the matter seriously and thanking Deputies Clare Daly and Mick Wallace and telling them we will work together to get this right, the concerns were dismissed and left lying in abeyance for a number of years. I do not expect infallibility from anybody here, but it is not a sign of weakness to acknowledge making a mistake and to acknowledge things could have been done better. It is not a sign of weakness to say "sorry, we got it wrong".

Regarding the Garda, in the constituency of Dublin Central I must say we have been in the main served well by the gardaí in Store Street, Fitzgibbon Street, Mountjoy, the Bridewell and Cabra. They have what I consider a very good practice of coming to community meetings and working with the community policing forum. From the gardaí to the chief superintendent they come to meetings and address concerns. There has been some positive work done here and by the committees and some individual Ministers have been very progressive, but there is a dark shadow over the way in which whistleblowing has been dealt with. Now that action has to be taken I hope it will be done urgently and efficiently. With regard to costs, I hope the legal profession plays its role.

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