Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The evidence that was given to the Oireachtas committee yesterday, while very concerning, was very welcome in that the witnesses felt they could come forward and give it. Of course, the Department of Justice and Equality now needs to follow up on that.

The point I was making in my initial answer is that we do not have any protected disclosures or correspondence in regard to the concerns. Therefore, the issues were really only raised directly yesterday with the Oireachtas committee. Of course, the Government and Department of Justice and Equality now need to follow up with the Garda to understand the basis for the concerns and complaints. It is totally unacceptable if people raising issues within the Garda concerning the misclassification of crime are being persuaded in some way not to expose them if there is a consequence in terms of domestic abuse or any other form of crime. The Government needs to deal with that issue comprehensively. We need to act on the basis of facts and evidence in regard to these issues.

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