Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank everyone who has contributed to the debate, those who have expressed their support for the motion as well as those who have outlined their opposition. Everyone can agree that debate is healthy. One of our functions in the Chamber is to debate issues.

I take exception to some of the comments made by Deputy O'Callaghan. He criticises the fact we brought forward this motion. I take exception to the fact that he is trying to misrepresent what we are proposing. Nowhere in this motion are we mandating, directing, instructing or ordering the Government to carry out the wishes contained in the motion. It is beholden on all of us to look at what is being proposed and to be honest in that regard. What is being proposed is that the Chamber should consider that the removal from office of the Commissioner, Ms O'Sullivan, would be in the best interests of An Garda Síochána.

I have listened to all the political parties that have contributed to the debate. It is clear that Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil, Independents 4 Change, the Social Democrats, Solidarity-People Before Profit, the Labour Party, the Green Party and even some of the members of the Rural Independent Group have all expressed either no confidence in the Garda Commissioner or have stated that they cannot express confidence in the Garda Commissioner. These groups represent the majority of Members. Whether the motion is passed, we cannot get away from that reality. The majority of Members do not support or cannot express confidence in the Garda Commissioner. The Government needs to take that into account. I appeal to Fianna Fáil to put aside party politics and consider the motion. It calls for the removal from office of the Commissioner, Ms O'Sullivan, in the best interests of An Garda Síochána. By supporting this motion, Fianna Fáil is not breaking any laws or asking the Government to act beyond its remit.

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Fianna Fáil would just be saying what it has said outside of this Chamber, namely, that it considers that Nóirín O'Sullivan cannot have its confidence. That is all Fianna Fáil would be doing. I do not understand why we cannot do that. People talk about Members acting collectively. If the vast majority of this Chamber has that opinion, then let us come together. Let us send a clear signal and message, not only to Nóirín O'Sullivan, but to any members within An Garda Síochána who think they can act with impunity, arrogance or throw the hands up and say it is nothing to do with them and they were not aware of the problems. That is not good enough.

I will tell the House how this will be spun tomorrow if this vote is not passed. I can guarantee that Commissioner O'Sullivan will be out saying she has the support of the vast majority of Members of the Oireachtas to continue in her position because they did not express their lack of confidence in her or call on Government to remove her. She would take that as a tacit signal of confidence and support from this Chamber when that would be the wrong analysis. I ask people to put aside their differences and come together to look at exactly what is being proposed in the motion. If we are all serious, and I believe we are, that we want what is best for An Garda Síochána as an institution, then we have to put aside our differences and express that confidence not outside the doors of this Chamber but within this Chamber. There is no reason why we cannot do that.

Regardless of whether this motion passes, Nóirín O'Sullivan as the current Garda Commissioner needs to recognise that following this debate tonight, there is a clear message from the vast majority of Deputies elected to this Chamber that she does not have our support and that we cannot express our support in her. She should consider that. I know that she will consider it and ignore it like she has ignored everything else that has been put to her. She will not answer questions. However, that is the only way that we can get on with a process of reform that is badly needed in An Garda Síochána, which we all support.

I was disappointed in the Tánaiste's own remarks when she said in her statement that Sinn Féin is not articulating a vision for the future of policing in Ireland. She also quoted the very policy document that we published yesterday articulating that vision. The Tánaiste knows that my own record in contributions at committee and in discussions with her around the future commission does articulate a vision, which we all believe is badly needed. Let us take the politics out of it. Let us say what we are saying outside the doors of this Chamber clearly in the House and send a message to Nóirín O'Sullivan and any other member of An Garda Síochána who thinks that they can get away with what is happening currently. We must send a message that it is not acceptable, that they will be held to account and that the Government will stand up and respect the wishes of both the public and the vast majority of Deputies within the House and will remove Nóirín O'Sullivan from her position.

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