Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It will not come as a surprise that I will ask the Tánaiste questions about An Garda Síochána and her political management of the force. However, before I do, I wish to say something that I think is important. I acknowledge and commend the work that is done every day in this country by members of An Garda Síochána who protect our communities and enforce our law. I also commend and recognise the role that has been played in the past by members of An Garda Síochána who have served this country proudly. I say that at the outset because, unfortunately, recent controversies have significantly damaged the reputation of An Garda Síochána. It is unfortunate, to say the least, that we are now in a situation where we are expecting to hear scandal after scandal in respect of the force. This is having a significant impact on the morale of the force. More seriously, it is having an impact on the good relationship that has historically existed between An Garda Síochána and members of the public. As politicians, we have a responsibility to ensure we rectify that relationship and rebuild the status of An Garda Síochána in our community.

It is seven weeks to the day since senior members of An Garda Síochána told the public that there were 937,000 false breath tests on the PULSE system and 14,700 wrongful convictions as a result of Garda error. At the time, my party stated that we needed answers and accountability. Regrettably, from the force to date, we have not got answers or accountability. Neither have we got political answers or accountability from the Government, which is responsible for An Garda Síochána.

After the breath tests scandal, we had another scandal in respect of what was happening down in Templemore. An audit, which displayed considerable financial irregularities, was conducted. Last week, the Committee of Public Accounts was informed of a litany of financial irregularities in respect of the Garda College at Templemore. More worrying, there was open disagreement in An Garda Síochána between civilian members of senior management of the force and the Commissioner, who is a member of the officer band of the force. This has caused significant concern.

The issues in respect of Templemore were only brought to the Tánaiste's attention by the Commissioner 14 months after she was apprised of them. Under section 41 of the Garda Síochána Act, there is a legal duty on the Commissioner to bring to the Minister for Justice and Equality's attention "significant developments that might reasonably be expected to affect adversely public confidence in the Garda Síochána". It is unquestionably the case that the issues concerning financial irregularities in Templemore have affected public confidence in An Garda Síochána. Is the Tánaiste satisfied that she was told about this 18 months later? Why is it that when she was told, she did not ask the Commissioner the reason she was not told about it earlier? The Tánaiste needs to answer those questions and explain this to the House.

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