David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It has never been my practice to call for heads because that is far too easy a political manoeuvre, but it is clear that it is time for the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, to go, for the moral welfare and decency of political standards in this country. The Garda Commissioner described the two whistleblowers who have been completely vindicated as "disgusting" in their actions in the public forum of the Committee on Public Accounts. That was an outrageous thing for him to say. The former confidential recipient was heard on tape saying if one went against Shatter, “he will screw you.” We know that is true, as he released confidential information on “The Late Late Show”. Anybody who dared to speak the truth to power had a load of slurry dumped over him or her by that Minister. This is simply not acceptable. We cannot have this kind of corrupt government and it is particularly inappropriate for a Minister of Justice and Equality. The Minister is a clever man and, in many ways, a very good, reforming Minister and I pay tribute to these talents, but he is not an honourable man and someone who is not honourable should not be Minister for Justice. There are good people in every party, as I said when Fianna Fáil was on its knees. I say it now to my colleagues on the Government side. There is damn all difference between Fine Gael as a party and in government and Fianna Fáil at its worst.