Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the answer on behalf of the senior Minister, but I totally reject that answer. What we see here is the local authority investigating the local authority, when we have had many calls for other organisations in this State not to investigate themselves. I also have evidence that one of the individuals involved in this case has given a leadership talk about how to run local government, in which he stated that, when dealing with difficult cases:

- Identify the 'Loss' and structure your argument accordingly
- Keep close to your adversaries
- Focus on the message - not the messenger
- Manipulate the debate
- Have an anchor
- Be Relentless

That was definitely the tactic used in the Bríd Cummins case. I believe it is only fair and right that we have an independent investigation. We need people outside Galway City Council to again take a look at the facts of this case.
The Minister should have a role in this. He should be absolutely clear that something like the Bríd Cummins case can never happen again. Her family deserve closure in this situation. I implore the Minister of State to go back to the senior Minister and say: "Let us stand outside this organisation. Let us make sure that Galway City Council is above question and let us make sure that real justice was done in this case."