David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I call on the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the House to discuss the ongoing controversy surrounding him, his Department and office. There is a growing realisation among many outside the House that he is unsuitable as the Minister responsible for the justice system and that he should resign. There have been a number of high-profile sackings, resignations and retirements. They are called different things, but, in reality, people have been sacked and forced to resign. The confidential Garda recipient was sacked and the Garda Commissioner, Mr. Callinan, is gone. Mr. Frank Flannery had to resign from Rehab and now Ms Angela Kearns has resigned. Despite all of the controversies that surround the Minister and the fact that he has not been an innocent bystander in many of them, he remains in office. He has been a central player in and, in many respects, the instigator of many of the controversies. He allowed false statements to stand in the Dáil and only when it was politically expedient did he correct the record. It is a sign of arrogance on his part and weakness on the part of the Taoiseach that he is still in his position. We all accept that we need far-reaching reforms in the judicial and policing systems to restore public confidence in both the Judiciary and the institution that is An Garda Síochána. Is the Minister for Justice and Equality really the one to stand over these reforms? Does anybody, even in his own party, believe he has the credibility to continue as Minister and carry out the necessary reforms?