Kenny seeks report on ‘whistleblower conversation’
Enda Kenny said it was a “matter of public concern that needs to be dealt with” and he had asked the Department of Justice to look into the matter and compile a report.
There was confusion last night over whether the Taoiseach had seen the transcript of the conversation between the confidential recipient within the Garda and Sergeant Maurice McCabe, who blew the whistle on the cancellation of penalty points.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin read out parts of the transcripts in the Dáil yesterday, in which the confidential recipient, Oliver Connolly, said: “If stuff was to get out into the public, the print media, I tell you something Maurice — and this is just personal advice to you — if Shatter thinks you’re screwing him, you’re finished.”
Mr Martin said it was a “grave situation in a democracy, particularly given the office involved”.
“Clearly, the transcript reveals efforts, if not subtle threats, that if the material that the whistleblower had ever got to the media, the minister, Deputy Shatter, would come after the whistleblower,” he said.
Parts of the transcripts were read out by Independent TD Mick Wallace in the Dáil last week and reported in Saturday’s Irish Examiner. It was not until Tuesday night that Mr Shatter said suggestions he authorised any threat were “outrageous”.
Mr Martin said it appears the confidential recipient “was protecting the minister, the department and the commissioner, but not the whistleblower”.
He asked: “Is the position of the confidential recipient now tenable?”
Mr Martin said when he questioned the Taoiseach on Tuesday he was “silent on it”. Mr Kenny said: “When I left the Chamber, I read the transcript and I asked that the Department of Justice and Equality furnish me with a report on this matter.”
He did not respond when Fianna Fáil’s Timmy Dooley asked: “Where did the Taoiseach get the transcript he read after he left the Dáil?”
His statement that he had read a transcript appeared to be in conflict with what Mr Shatter told the Dáil on Tuesday night, that he was “curious” about “some transcript” that he had not seen and was not privy to.
But a spokesperson for Mr Kenny said that the Taoiseach was referring to the transcript of the Dáil proceedings and not the one between the garda and the confidential recipient.
By Mary Regan and Shaun Connolly
The Taoiseach has asked for a report on an alleged conversation in which a garda whistleblower was told he was “finished” if the Justice Minister heard he had raised concerns about issues in the force.
Enda Kenny said it was a “matter of public concern that needs to be dealt with” and he had asked the Department of Justice to look into the matter and compile a report.
There was confusion last night over whether the Taoiseach had seen the transcript of the conversation between the confidential recipient within the Garda and Sergeant Maurice McCabe, who blew the whistle on the cancellation of penalty points.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin read out parts of the transcripts in the Dáil yesterday, in which the confidential recipient, Oliver Connolly, said: “If stuff was to get out into the public, the print media, I tell you something Maurice — and this is just personal advice to you — if Shatter thinks you’re screwing him, you’re finished.”
Mr Martin said it was a “grave situation in a democracy, particularly given the office involved”.
“Clearly, the transcript reveals efforts, if not subtle threats, that if the material that the whistleblower had ever got to the media, the minister, Deputy Shatter, would come after the whistleblower,” he said.
Parts of the transcripts were read out by Independent TD Mick Wallace in the Dáil last week and reported in Saturday’s Irish Examiner. It was not until Tuesday night that Mr Shatter said suggestions he authorised any threat were “outrageous”.
Mr Martin said it appears the confidential recipient “was protecting the minister, the department and the commissioner, but not the whistleblower”.
He asked: “Is the position of the confidential recipient now tenable?”
Mr Martin said when he questioned the Taoiseach on Tuesday he was “silent on it”. Mr Kenny said: “When I left the Chamber, I read the transcript and I asked that the Department of Justice and Equality furnish me with a report on this matter.”
He did not respond when Fianna Fáil’s Timmy Dooley asked: “Where did the Taoiseach get the transcript he read after he left the Dáil?”
His statement that he had read a transcript appeared to be in conflict with what Mr Shatter told the Dáil on Tuesday night, that he was “curious” about “some transcript” that he had not seen and was not privy to.
But a spokesperson for Mr Kenny said that the Taoiseach was referring to the transcript of the Dáil proceedings and not the one between the garda and the confidential recipient.
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