Aontú threatens no-confidence motion in Helen McEntee over Garda whistleblower scandal
Helen McEntee: 'I have always adhered to the advice that's provided to me, and anyone that's received a protected disclosure will know that there is legal advice provided, and I've always adhered to that.' Picture: PA
Aontú has threatened to table a motion of no confidence in Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee if she does not come before the Dáil to account for her time as Justice Minister and her handling of protected disclosures by gardaí.
Four former and current members of the force were last month featured in an documentary, with two directly connected to the Garda whistleblowing unit and two others who made protected disclosures.
The members connected to the Gardaí’s Protected Disclosure Unit — Donal Corcoran and Rose Sweeney — allege they were “forced out” of the organisation and punished for protecting whistleblowers.
A protected disclosure on behalf of Detective Superintendent Brian O'Reilly was sent to Ms McEntee as then justice minister in September 2023. The disclosure included allegations about faulty holsters and the storage and use of faulty ammunition. She forwarded the disclosure to the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commission, which referred it to the secretary general of the Department of Justice, Oonagh McPhillips.
However, Ms McEntee's office subsequently referred the disclosure back to An Garda Síochána. Speaking in New York at the United Nations General Assembly High Level Week last month, Ms McEntee insisted that she had always followed whistleblower legislation.
"I have always adhered to the legislation," Ms McEntee said. "I have always adhered to the advice that's provided to me, and anyone that's received a protected disclosure will know that there is legal advice provided, and I've always adhered to that."
Ms McEntee has insisted that she has always followed whistleblower legislation and is now not in a position to comment on allegations against her.
Last night, her office stated: "The minister has been clear that at all times she followed the legislation relating to protected disclosures, and that at all times followed advice provided to her in relation to same.
"There are robust structures, policies, and procedures in place to ensure the effective management of protected disclosures and to provide support to people who make disclosures under the act. Protecting people who make protected disclosures, including members of the Gardaí, is a priority under the act.”
It had been suggested that Ms McEntee would make a Dáil statement on the matter, but Aontú is demanding that this session include questions and answers.
A letter from the party's Mayo TD Paul Lawless to Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Sunday requested that time be set aside in the Dáil next week for Ms McEntee to answer questions surrounding the most recent Garda whistleblower scandal.
He said that "significant new information" had been brought to his attention that "raises further, new questions".
"Minister McEntee must answer questions in the Dáil on this matter," he stated. "It is very important information that sheds new light on the whole incident.
"We believe in a fair and just system and trust that the minister will make herself available to put these matters to her.
"If the minister does not commit to a questions and answers session in the Dáil, Aontú will be forced to consider using our PMB slot in the coming weeks to table a motion of no confidence in Minister McEntee."
Aontú next has a Dáil private members' slot in the coming weeks.
A spokesperson for Ms McEntee has been asked to comment.
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