Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As a Member of the Oireachtas, I was amazed that Government Ministers spent three full hours yesterday clarifying what they had already stated in public. Maurice McCabe and his wife, in their statement on Monday last, asked some very straightforward questions. They said that the truth was more urgent than justice. Their questions related to the handling of the false sex abuse allegations made against Sergeant McCabe. Communication between An Garda Síochána, the HSE and Tusla, and in what period they took place, are all crucial. Yesterday, the Taoiseach was asked over ten times when he was first briefed about the allegations made against Maurice McCabe. At no stage did the Taoiseach answer the question. Perhaps the Leader of the Seanad can fill us in on what the Taoiseach could not do.

I find it incredible that the Government can publicly proclaim confidence in itself after yesterday's shambles. To be clear, these were statements clarifying what had already been said. The Taoiseach, though wearing an ear piece, struggled to convincingly recall events at which he was present.