Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for their contributions to this important debate. I have noted what has been said and how seriously every Senator takes this issue, as I do. I am very aware of the criticisms made about the lack of an explanation of how and why this happened. I am very disappointed that we do not have, at this stage, an absolute explanation of how it happened, who was involved, who is responsible and who is will be held accountable. What we have are the results of the audits carried out.

I would like to make one point on the issue raised by Senator Kevin Humphreys and a number of other Senators about the facts emerging at the press conference. Apparently, Assistant Commissioner Finn who only took over as head of the traffic corps in December was only in a position in recent days, in the last week or the week before to receive the Garda figures and compare them with those from the Medical Bureau of Road Safety. I think I have said already that that is when the huge discrepancy arose and he and others made the decision that they should put the information in the public arena. I make the point that it was An Garda Síochána that, rightly, made the decision that the figures should be in the public arena, but, of course, there should have been more consultation. I believe it is because of the reforms we have brought forward and the oversight of the Policing Authority that this information is emerging.

The Garda Commissioner has made the point that there may be other issues to emerge. I was asked earlier today if there were other issues of which I was aware, or if the Commissioner had mentioned particular issues that would emerge. She said she had made the point in a general way that it was inevitable that, as the process of reform continued, more issues would emerge.

As regards what happened, at this stage there is only speculation. of which there is an awful lot, which I have to accept. Everybody has his or her own point of view. As I have said, whether it was carelessness, exaggeration or deceit, we have to find out what led to it.

I take the point Senator Alice-Mary Higgins made about section 25. I will examine it to see whether it would be appropriate to use it in this case. The tribunal had already moved to make sure evidence would be available in respect of the issue we discussed previously, but I will certainly check it out to see whether there is a need to use the section in the current situation and whether it could or should be used. I will look at that matter immediately.

I agree with what Senators have said about the need to rebuild public confidence. With An Garda Síochána, all of us insofar as we can influence these events - I influence them as Minister for Justice and Equality - have to start to rebuild public confidence. The way to do it is to get to the bottom of what happened in this instance, to be rigorous, open and transparent about it and to have information made available as quickly as possible. Many have spoken about management. Management in An Garda Síochána must be examined in a root and branch review to see how we can make it fit for purpose because clearly there have been serious failings throughout the system.

The Government retains confidence in the Garda Commissioner. It believes she needs to get on with implementing the reforms that are under way. She was given her position following an international competition in which she had come out on top. It was an independent competition in which she emerged as the person best suited to take on the job.

Clearly, there are systemic issues that go back a long way. If we look at them, in one case we are talking about something that happened well over ten years ago. We are probably talking about a practice that has continued for perhaps two decades. Clearly, we need to examine further the question of how and why it happened.

I note what Senators have said about whether I trust the people involved to do their jobs. Senators have said that if members of An Garda Síochána cannot be relied on, it has very serious implications for our democracy. As one Senator said, we expect members of the public to fill in forms legally and correctly. That is only right and what we expect gardaí to do also. This was happening in every division and it was a very serious exaggeration. The minimum figure was about 65% and the maximum, 159% or so. We need to examine the areas where very serious discrepancies emerged during the period and it will involve a lot of people. It will be a very broad investigation, given the scale of the discrepancy across so many divisions. It raises very serious questions about line accountability. We will have to ensure those who were accountable will be brought to book. That is precisely what should happen once we find out what caused this issue to emerge.