Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome the terms of reference which have been agreed and announced today. It has been a long week since my colleague, Deputy Howlin, made his statement in the Dáil. Many criticised him but that triggered the events which brought us to where we are now. My colleague acknowledged the work of everyone in the House and certain journalists but we would not be where we are today if he had not spoken.

I also welcome the considerable movement in the past couple of days and even hours. The terms of reference are divided into two segments. The first module will deal with the disclosures of Sergeant McCabe and Superintendent Taylor and, thanks to the work of a number of people, those of Garda Keith Harrison, for which I also campaigned vigorously. There are similarities between his case and the others in the form of the role of Tusla and how he, Marissa and their family were treated but it would be impossible not to deal with how he was dealt with by gardaí. I seek an assurance that all his issues will be dealt with as part of this process because it would be impossible to separate them.

The Department of Justice and Equality has now learned a unique lesson. It never wanted multiple whistleblowers' claims to be dealt with together in any inquiry or tribunal because to do so would show a pattern, a culture and similarities in the disclosures of numerous whistleblowers. It will give evidence to the people of Ireland of behaviour which is disgraceful. We also need to ensure that there is criminal sanction for wrongdoing. Today may not be the day to deal with that but we will have to come back to it.

I welcome the fact that the terms of reference cover all other whistleblowers as this is a very important facet of the inquiry, which will bring justice for the State and all the whistleblowers. While many whistleblowers will be covered by this inquiry, their daily circumstances are very different. Some are on pay; some are not. Some live on social welfare and there are many other issues. I urge the Tánaiste to look at the fact that some are being treated differently from others and that there is no consistency of treatment.

I thank those in this House who worked to ensure the terms of reference were broadened. Sergeant McCabe issued a statement a number of days ago asking whether Ministers in this or the previous Government were briefed, formally or informally, on allegations against him. As a former Minister, I was not so briefed.

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