Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, as I listened to the Taoiseach's explanations and the changes in the explanations about meetings and discussions which did not take place about the tribunal and Cabinet meetings, I was reminded of Ronald Reagan's explanation when he discovered he actually was selling arms to the Contras. He said his heart and his best intentions told him it was true but the facts and the evidence told him it was not. This sums up the situation about the Taoiseach's contribution yesterday.

The motion comes from the appalling handling and disgraceful treatment of Sergeant Maurice McCabe. He dared to raise concerns about corruption and malpractice in the Garda but he was the only one disciplined for it. He has been raising these concerns for 15 years. While the O'Higgins inquiry was ongoing we know Tusla had an active file on false allegations of sexual abuse against him. He has fought continuously to have his name cleared and have practices done properly in the Garda. The Taoiseach's Government has failed on at least three occasions to deal with this properly. If it was not for the work of Deputies Clare Daly, Mick Wallace and Joan Collins, and Luke Ming Flanagan when he was here, the situation would have been buried long ago.

The fact the Government is being forced to have a tribunal of inquiry is enough to have no confidence in it, but there is even more. The Government is responsible for allowing thousands of children to live homeless in hotels while 200,000 empty houses lie vacant in the country. Its commercialisation and privatisation of housing and the espousing of housing solutions rather than housing for citizens is another reason. Its commercialisation of health and education are gaining momentum and will do nothing but impoverish our society. I have no confidence in the Government. The Government is led by a commitment to market solutions, which make citizens consumers to be profited from rather than served by the Government. We need a Government in place which serves our citizens.

See this speech in context