Seanad debates

Tuesday, 25 February 2014

2:55 pm

Photo of Denis O'DonovanDenis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I refer to the ongoing whistleblowers saga and the lack of confidence in the politburo of the Garda and the Minister for Justice and Equality.

I call for a debate on this issue as a matter of urgency. I will not propose an amendment to the Order of Business today, but I ask the Leader to set aside two or three hours in the next week or ten days for a debate on the issue.

We are hearing all sorts of stories. We had the bizarre set-up with penalty points. We had the alleged bugging of GSOC and still do not know if it was bugged. There is a lack of trust in the Garda Commissioner and the top echelons of the Garda Síochána, which is regrettable and not good for public confidence. Even more worrying is the suggestion today by the Taoiseach and the Cabinet that a senior counsel be appointed to examine issues that have arisen. This is ludicrous. This is a slow burner and has been for two years. Somebody needs to grasp the nettle. If only 20% of what was said on last night's "Prime Time" programme by the serving sergeant, one of the whistleblowers, is true, it raises serious questions about the situation vis-à-vis the Commissioner. If it is true, it is bizarre that the two principal complainants were not asked to give evidence to Assistant Commissioner John O'Mahony in his investigation. There are many issues which are eroding the confidence of the Garda and doing it huge damage. Senator Rónán Mullen spoke about the closure of Garda stations, an issue we have raised in the House on several occasions, but we face this debacle of a lack of trust in the Garda and the issue of the whistleblowers. On the one hand, whistleblowers are being enticed and supported by legislation, while, on the other, they are not wanted by the Government. It is basically stating it wants to have a whistleblower system in place, but it will not give whistleblowers any credence, chance or credibility. That is why I ask the Leader to arrange an urgent debate in this House on the issue. This House is owed a full debate on this debacle, irrespective of whether there is the sideshow of a senior counsel investigating papers which have been out for so long that they must be getting mouldy in being passed from one hand to the other. This is one of the most serious issues the State has faced in the past 30 years and we need to address it, rather than kick the can down the road.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.