Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Today, I wish to raise two short issues. First, it is with great regret that I rise again today to raise the issue of the Garda Commissioner. We have learned that the irregularities in Templemore are much more severe than we originally thought. We learned yesterday that the Garda Commissioner has confirmed there is reasonable cause to suspect fraud has been committed regarding Garda bank accounts connected with the college. What is most alarming is that there is a genuine concern amid the revelations that senior Garda officers are involved in the alleged fraud. GSOC will investigate the matter at great cost to the State, as it will have to engage forensic accountants.

We understand due process must be afforded to individuals. However, as was pointed out yesterday, the timing of the investigation being handed over to GSOC is suspect, and allowed the Commissioner to hide behind a shield when it came to answering relevant and simple questions tabled by my colleague, Deputy Marc MacSharry. There are also more questions raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Seamus McCarthy, about potential irregularities which he felt should have been notified to him sooner. It seems that certain members of the Garda are living by their own laws and they are in their own little fiefdoms showing total disregard for the rule of law that they are duty-bound to enforce and to follow themselves. I call on the Leader to ask the Minister to come into the House to address this matter.

The second issue I wish to raise a related one. My colleagues in Sinn Féin might be able to explain the comments made by their deputy leader yesterday asking the Commissioner what type of clout she felt she held as a woman. I cannot understand that question. It was absolutely and completely inappropriate and they might be able to shed more light on it.