Fitzgerald praises actions of whistleblowers
She will meet with the acting head of the force, Noirín O’Sullivan, this morning, when a review of how Sgt Maurice McCabe has been treated in his workplace is expected to be discussed.
Allegations of Garda misconduct first raised by Sgt McCabe more than two years ago are expected to be referred by the Government to an independent commission of inquiry. It will follow from recommendations to be made in a hard-hitting report by barrister Sean Guerin on how these concerns were handled by the Department of Justice and former minister Alan Shatter.
The 300-page report, to be published today, will draw on a range of documentation and evidence to show an “inadequate” response by the department in its handling of McCabe’s complaints, and a failure by Mr Shatter to fully meet his statutory responsibilities.
Ms Fitzgerald pledged to restore confidence in the policing system, which has been shaken by a number of controversies.
“We need a new era, a new culture, so that Irish citizens can have confidence in our policing system,” she said. “Confidence in our police is a critical part of our democracy and confidence in our justice system is equally critical.”
Asked if Mr McCabe should be allowed to access the Garda Pulse system in order to carry out his full functions, Ms Fitzgerald said she would not get involved in an operational matter for the force.
“But I do know that the Acting Garda Commissioner is carrying out a review in relation to that and I’ve no doubt that when I meet her she will brief me,” she said.
“Hearing the voices of whistleblowers and responding to them in an appropriate way, we do need to learn how to do that properly. I do believe there is a change in attitude out there. And I would pay tribute to the work that Sergeant McCabe has done.”
The minister was appointed yesterday morning following Wednesday’s shock resignation of Mr Shatter who had been embroiled in a series of controversies in the past six months.
She will be replaced as Minister for Children by the Laois-Offaly TD, Charlie Flanagan.
