Call for Kenny to come clean on Callinan issue

The Taoiseach must come clean on why he sent a senior civil servant to do his "dirty work" and effectively give former garda commissioner Martin Callinan his P45, opposition TDs have insisted.

Fianna Fáil’s Micheál McGrath said the Oireachtas had been treated with “disdain” by Enda Kenny and the Justice Department’s secretary general, Brian Purcell, regarding events leading up to the commissioner’s abrupt decision to stand down.

Mr McGrath accused the two men of “hiding” behind the Fennelly probe into why Mr Callinan suddenly quit his post in March after the Taoiseach had ordered Mr Purcell to his home to convey concerns over an unfolding phone-tapping scandal.

“We still have no answer to the fundamental question as to why the Taoiseach dispatched Brian Purcell to the house of Martin Callinan to do his dirty work for him and, effectively, deliver a P45.

“Both Mr Purcell and the Taoiseach are now hiding behind the Fennelly commission. This is treating the Oireachtas and the general public with disdain.

“There is no legal obstacle as to why Mr Purcell could not have come before the committee and answered questions about Martin Callinan’s departure.

“Similarly, there is no legal obstacle as to why the Taoiseach could not answer questions here on his role in that departure,” Mr McGrath said.

The TD also expressed concern at reports that garda whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe has been forced out of work on sick leave and lodged 13 separate complaints pertaining to bullying and harassment.

Mr McGrath questioned why acting garda commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan was claiming senior managers were in contact with Mr McCabe on a daily basis, when sources close to him insisted the opposite was the case.

The FF deputy also said there was no evidence of a new era of transparency which was promised after the resignation of Alan Shatter.

Responding, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said he did not know the legal position relating to Mr Purcell and the Taoiseach as he was not a lawyer, but said the Government was committed to reforming the force and backing whistleblowers.

“The critical pillar in this is the establishment of an independent Garda authority.

“The Government is introducing legislation that will provide protection for people who draw attention to wrongdoing and this legislation will apply to An Garda Síochána,” Mr Gilmore said.