Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not discount the seriousness of allegations that are made and I assure the Deputy that, if I have anything to do with them, they will be taken seriously. At the same time, we have a duty in this House not to assume that any allegation made is necessarily true. Allegations need to be investigated, and people are entitled to their good name and to due process, but I am very much committed to driving long-overdue Garda reform. It is a priority of the Government and a priority for the Minister, Deputy Flanagan. I do not take the view that one can suddenly engage in some sort of de-Ba'athification process overnight whereby every senior officer in the Garda is removed. That would be neither right nor fair because at least some of them must be good individuals who are doing the best job they can. The Commission on the Future of Policing certainly creates an opportunity to bring about real reform, and the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, and I will take into full consideration the advice of Kathleen O'Toole on the timing of the appointment of a new Commissioner.

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