Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The game is up. This is an absolute mess. Thousands of unsafe convictions, 1 million fabricated breath tests and the serious questions that therefore arise over any data, statistics or information produced by An Garda Síochána. The entire controversy undermines the very integrity of An Garda Síochána and flies in the face of what citizens expect from their policing service. We have had an almost casual response from a very detached Commissioner to circumstances that undermine confidence in citizens' most basic and fundamental rights. Only in Ireland would politicians be standing here today, debating whether the person who is ultimately responsible for all of this mess should remain in her job. The biggest mistake that the Taoiseach and the Minister could make is to leave Commissioner O'Sullivan in position. Everybody knows that she has to go. We have tabled a confidence motion in respect of the Garda Commissioner but the Government should not wait for that. It should not have to wait for a motion to be tabled by the Opposition. The Taoiseach needs to show real leadership and make that decision today. His Government must act decisively. Will the Taoiseach now take the first steps in restoring that vital public confidence by removing Commissioner O'Sullivan from her post?

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