Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I express full confidence in the Minister and her work in building stronger, safer communities across Ireland. Victims of the attack outside Gaelscoil Coláiste Mhuire, who are foremost in our thoughts, deserved a united response of solidarity from all sides of this House. Our gardaí, who faced down rioters and those looting shops, deserved a united response of solidarity from all sides of this House. Gardaí and front-line emergency workers, who undertake dangerous work every day in public service, know they have a united response from the Government and some Members of this House. However, at a time the Minister, Deputy McEntee, Commissioner Harris and the Government are building momentum on recruitment through Templemore and strengthening supports for gardaí, Sinn Féin can only think of the political playbook, which is all they know.

Last week, Deputy McDonald stood in this House and spoke for nearly ten minutes. I did not pick up one single solution, change of vision or difference that would be articulated in a Sinn Féin approach. Deputy Pearse Doherty on “Morning Ireland” the next morning did a similar length interview and when pushed at the very end, the only new solution he could come up with was to magic up new gardaí, but there was no vision and no alternative. In another full speech, Deputy McDonald expressed faux outrage, which is rich when we see how Sinn Féin used the school in Parnell Square, its building and vulnerable people as props and pawns in their political game. Sinn Féin promised change but I do not see it. I do not see anything except the dark, sinister forces that would like to change how justice prevails in this country because of their Sinn Féin background - a portfolio that they would even be allowed to hold up in Northern Ireland, never mind here.

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