Mary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On numerous occasions on the Garda Síochána Bill I forcefully said the Garda Síochána should be separate from and totally independent of Government because there is a temptation by Governments to misuse the police service. A tremor went through this country when the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Deputy Shatter made his recent comment. I believe he never intended to say it, and it slipped out. There are very serious consequences for the people of Ireland. I would feel very vulnerable personally if the Garda Síochána and the Commissioner - yesterday we heard it was the Commissioner - give information on citizens. It is a very dangerous situation and we need the Minister to come in here and explain his position.

I do not agree with my colleagues here in that I like strong Ministers. Deputy Shatter is a good Minister but on this occasion he has to clarify his stance. We also need the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton to come here and clarify the transparency of tax rates that the American multinationals are paying in Ireland because overnight we could lose 150,000 jobs. I am shocked at the Sinn Féin ideology spelled out here this morning. We constantly hear Senator Cullinane talking about how no jobs are created in Waterford. Would he not love to have a multinational based there? They did not hold onto Waterford Crystal themselves.