Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join with the moving tributes of other Senators, in particular Senator Healy Eames, to the late Nicky McFadden. Those of us who were Members of the previous Seanad are very sad at the loss of our former Seanad colleague. We will remember Nicky as having been a gentle and decent person. I recall that on the day I brought people to meet with Nicky and Deputy Áine Collins, Nicky received the very happy news that she had become a grandmother. I know we will have an opportunity to pay tribute to her on a later date. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

The departure of a Garda Commissioner is an event of huge significance. There is a history in this State of major moments of controversy, including the departure three decades ago of Commissioner McLaughlin and the late Éamon de Valera's sacking of General Eoin O'Duffy. When something like this happens we need to be seriously concerned. There are major issues arising in terms of public confidence in the Garda Síochána and the administration of justice. Whatever the complexities about what the whistleblowers had to say and how they went about bringing information to public knowledge it is fair to say that the Government has handled this whole situation appallingly badly. I do not believe that people should necessarily have to resign in all situations. It reflects badly on our culture that there cannot be intermediate steps in that regard, including, for example, the Houses noting their displeasure with aspects of what the Garda Commissioner had to say and then mandating him or her to continue with his or her work.

We have now reached a pass whereby the Attorney General appears to have known about the recording of telephone calls by the Garda Síochána. What is not clear is of what and when the Attorney General advised the Minister or the Department of Justice, Equality and Defence in relation to those matters. We need to know whether the Minister was told, when he was told or whether if an official was told when he was told. Was it the case that the Attorney General told senior officials and they did not pass on the information, which is Travers' report type territory? It would be helpful to have that information.

It is important that the Government now put its cards on the table and disclose in full what it knew, when it knew it and who told what to whom. Senator MacSharry asked earlier about the practise in relation to working groups being established without the knowledge of the line Minister. It is important the Government puts its cards on the table. It would also be helpful if the Attorney General were to clarify matters, including her role in this regard and who was told what and when.