Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Is the Taoiseach suggesting that the Government had not been forewarned about this catastrophe? Is he suggesting that the Minister, by means of an early warning system, would not have been alerted to the impending disaster? The dogs on the street knew about the impending disaster for some time. Indeed, the Director of Public Prosecutions was alerted to the issue as well as the manner and methodology of the collecting and making of statements as far back as 2010. Hence, I say there has been systemic failure across the system. People are operating in silos, apparently. Did the Minister received any report, any early warning or any notification whatsoever from her Department officials about this case or about the ODCE failures relating to it? Is the Taoiseach suggesting that it is only from now on that the Department and the Government are going to respond to this case? It is inconceivable that there would not have been early notification to the Minister about the impending disaster that was about to unfold in respect of the case.

The Taoiseach mentioned that it is a matter for the Oireachtas. It seems the Government does not yet have a policy response to this matter. I put it to the Taoiseach that the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland should be asked about the optimal structural, approach and methodology of dealing with and enhancing the State's capacity to combat white-collar crime. The public will be angry because the capacity of the State to pursue white-collar crime has been laid bare. Something has to happen as a result of this in terms of a proper considered policy response.

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