Results 13,981-14,000 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: -----and that is what we should be debating here and what needs discussion. We have a relatively new Commissioner who was recruited by open competition and who is dealing with many complex criminal justice issues every day of the week, including the gangland crime that has erupted in recent times, and we should give her our support to continue the important work that she is doing.
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I am very aware of my duties to this House. Let me remind Deputy Adams and this House that the reason we have a commission of investigation is that a range of allegations, statements, etc., were made about a range of issues because of what I would call the pioneering work that Sergeant McCabe did. Let us also remind ourselves, however, that a commission of investigation has interviewed all...
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: It is therefore very important that we do not try to reinvent the wheel regarding some of the issues that were dealt with very thoroughly by the commission of investigation. As I have said, it found what it found regarding Sergeant McCabe, which I put into the record this morning. It found, for example, that there was no evidence of corruption against the former Commissioner or the five...
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: Let me make the point-----
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: Let me make the point that the same thing can be done by people who make allegations as well. We have had a commission of investigation for two years now led by Mr. Justice Kevin O'Higgins, and a thorough and thoughtful report. It behoves us all to consider the report in its entirety, and I will have-----
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I will have ongoing discussions-----
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I will have ongoing conversations with the Commissioner, and if it is feasible and legal for the Commissioner to put further information in the public arena, I have no doubt that she will do that.
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: Let me make a number of points regarding the Deputy's question. The Garda Commissioner is as entitled to confidentiality in her dealings with her lawyers as is any citizen, litigant or participant at a trial, tribunal or commission of investigation. That is the first point I would make. I said yesterday that it is-----
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: It is going down a dangerous path to suggest that instructions be put in the public domain. Deputies around the House would understand that. If we were to ask that the instructions that Maurice McCabe gave to his senior counsel or those that various gardaí gave or that any Deputy appearing before a commission gave should be put in the public arena-----
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: -----how would Deputies feel if that were the situation?
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: That is a question-----
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I want to make the point - it is worth the House reflecting on this - that when one is giving instructions or having discussions with lawyers, a litigant will say various things in regard to those instructions. They are within the privilege of that relationship and that discussion. That is clearly understood. It is a basic tenet of justice. I stated also that it is imprudent and a...
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: Perhaps Deputy Martin does.
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I want to make this point-----
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: -----that it must be borne in mind at all times that the judge reached his conclusions and published-----
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: He published his report having heard all of the evidence. The strategy the Deputy suggests runs the risk of circumventing the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004. As I have said, I have no knowledge of the transcripts, whether they are selective or not, and whether they present a true, fair and reasonable account of what happened at the commission of investigation proceedings. I...
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I cannot do that because there was a full hearing over a long period where all of the evidence was heard-----
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: -----but having said what I have said in regard to those issues, of course the Commissioner will want to clarify as much as she can, as I will based on the information I have at any given point, to reassure the House that whistleblowers are now dealt with properly. The former Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, brought forward the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 which...
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: I will conclude by saying this. I have discussed with the Garda Commissioner how whistleblowers are dealt with in An Garda Síochána now. I have repeatedly discussed that with her and I have been reassured that the legislation is being fully implemented and that there are a range of appropriate supports. At another time I can put on record the supports that were made available to...
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2016)
Frances Fitzgerald: Of course I will share as far as possible what I can in regard to the question Deputy Burton has asked, but let me make this point. Deputy Burton is incorrect to say that full information is in the public domain. It is not in the public domain. There is some information, based on illegal action. The Deputy is asking me to comment on what has been an illegal act that has produced these...