Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies Michael Healy-Rae and Mattie McGrath for their comments and questions. Of course, I am aware of the criticisms that have been made regarding the lack of explanation as to precisely what happened regarding the breath tests. I accept fully that, as both Deputies noted, we need full explanations. It is obvious that Garda breath tests were not recorded properly by a number of gardaí and robust systems were not in place. Of course, this has led to a lack of confidence. I have no doubt about that. We must re-establish that confidence but I do not believe there is any one action that will re-establish that confidence. I think it must be a series of actions, quite a number of which I have outlined here. At this point, it is only speculation as to what happened. Was it carelessness, exaggeration or deceit? This is why I agree with what both Deputies have said, namely, that we need an investigation into this. We need to find out who was responsible for this, what happened to supervision and whether there was collusion. There are many districts here because this exaggeration is right across the divisions. It is extremely serious. That is why the Government and I believe an independent investigation is the way forward in respect of finding the answers to the questions both Deputies have asked about this. It has undoubtedly dented confidence and we and Garda management need to rebuild it. I think Garda management can do this by being more transparent in everything it does and outlining the reforms.

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