Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not accept that at all. Let me make it clear that there can absolutely no ambiguity about the findings of the report. Mr. Justice Charleton does not mince his words. It is very clear about where serious failings took place, how they were allowed to happen and who allowed them to happen. These findings make very stark reading and we all owe a debt of gratitude to Sergeant Maurice McCabe for highlighting these failings.

As I have said, we have the report of Mr. Justice Charleton, we have the appointment of the new Garda Commissioner and we have the report on the Future of Policing in Ireland, which sets out clearly the recommendations for the structure and operation of what will be a modern 21st century police service. The report of Mr. Justice Charleton will strongly inform the Government's approach to building a police service. I will bring an implementation plan to Cabinet before the end of the year.

It is incumbent on all of us to examine this report in depth and to consider fully its findings and recommendations. I will do this as Minister for Justice and Equality. The Garda Commissioner, Tusla, the HSE and my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, will also examine this report to ensure that the necessary systems, procedures and practices are in place so as to prevent such issues that regrettably took place arising in the future.

As I said, the report requires careful consideration. I will comment on one aspect of the report at this time. Mr. Justice Charleton has reminded us of the obligations of the Garda, in particular: the obligation to be honest; to serve the people of Ireland; and to treat their obligation to the public as superior to any false sense that individual policemen and policewomen should stick up for each other. If those values had been lived, these events would not have taken place and, moreover, the organisation would have been capable of valuing and responding to self criticism. These fundamental values should be foremost in all our minds as public servants, and will very much inform the forthcoming and ongoing programme of change and modernisation within An Garda Síochána.

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