Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support this motion of confidence in the Government. In the limited time available to me I want to speak about the controversy in relation to the Garda whistleblowers because that is the issue that has given rise to this motion and it is the most important matter before us. Party political point scoring is not what the people listening in at home want to hear about.

Almost three years ago I thanked Maurice McCabe and the other whistleblowers for shining a light into a very dark place and forcing those who would turn a blind eye to face up to the truth. I want to reiterate tonight some of what I said then. I said that there was one word to describe their actions and that was "distinguished". Given what has emerged in recent days about the sustained smear campaign against Maurice McCabe, the attempts to destroy his reputation and the torment he and his family have had to endure it is clear that his service to the state has not just been distinguished, it has been heroic.

I have no doubt in my mind, from what I know and what I have heard, that Sergeant McCabe was subject to a scurrilous whispering campaign to discredit him. What I do not know is who was involved and the extent to which it was organised. The inquiry must find that out. What is evident is that the aim was not only to intimidate him but also to scare people off from supporting his claims, and for a time that was successful. We now need to know if similar campaigns were organised against other gardaí, public figures and private citizens. Tonight, I call on all of those with information to come forward. In particular, I call on individual gardaí who spread rumours passed to them by superiors, perhaps believing them to be true, to come forward and to give evidence to the public inquiry, because they too were deceived and are not to blame.

I believe the Government owes a full and unequivocal apology to Sergeant McCabe for the appalling treatment he endured at the hands of the Garda, State agencies and Departments. We need to restore trust in these key institutions and we do so by showing a willingness to be contrite. Tonight I support the decision by the Government to hold a public inquiry but I know that in the past tribunals have not always led to the truth and can take many years. Sergeant McCabe has asked six questions, and if they can be answered, they should be answered in full before any tribunal is up and running and nobody should attempt to use the shield of legal advice, process or pending inquiries to avoid answering these questions.

Maurice McCabe's family is the latest and, perhaps, the most grievous example of a society where so often truth, justice and accountability are denied. The very first Garda Commissioner was Michael Staines, a trusted associate of Michael Collins. He said that An Garda Síochána would succeed not by force of arms or numbers but on its moral authority as a servant of the people. If it is to be seen not as a servant but a master then it will lose its moral authority. The Government cannot and will not allow that to happen because the security of the State and the liberty of our citizens depends on it.

My party, Fine Gael, is the party of law and order and a party of integrity in public office. These are among our core values as a political movement. Understandably, the events of the past week have shaken belief in the party and confidence in the Government but can and we will put these things right. We must now resolve to renew our vows as a republic and ensure that never again can any State body or institution be used to treat one of our citizen servants so shabbily. We need to bring an end to a culture where wrong is done but nobody is held to account. Systems failures, administrative errors, endless reviews and prevarications, lost records, putting on the green jersey and alleged lack of resources are all too often used to justify and excuse wrongdoing. This should no longer be the case. Our Republic can and must stand for something better. Let us get down to the business of doing that.

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