Representatives of all opposition parties and independents have voiced support for an independent inquiry into suspected surveillance at the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission ahead of a two-day Dáil debate which begins tonight.
The motion has been brought by Sinn Féin justice spokesman Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, who also chairs the Oireachtas Public Service Oversight and Petitions Committee, which is also examining the matter.
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter will appear before the committee tomorrow to discuss his comments on the controversy.
Besides Sinn Féin, other parties including Fianna Fáil, People Before Profit, the Socialist Party, the Green Party and independent deputies have all indicated they are in favour of a further independent investigation.
However, Fine Gael's Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan said Mr Shatter would give a detailed explanation of the events both in the Dáil and before the committee this week.
Mr Hogan was asked would this week’s exchanges on the controversy in the Oireachtas bring it to an end: “That’s up to the committee. I think the committee are doing a good job and i think they’re trying to identify what the issues were between GSOC and the gardaí and the Minister is doing his best in order to put out as much information as he can, in spite of the fact that all of these matters are supposed to be secret,” he said.
Louth Fianna Fáil TD Seamus Kirk, a member of the oversight committeee, said only a full independent inquiry into the allegations of covert surveillance would clear up "the confusion on the issue and restore public confidence".
“It is over a week since this controversy began and the Government has not done enough to resolve the matter and ensure public confidence. There are differences in what Minister Shatter said in his statement to the Dáil last week and what Garda Ombudsman members have told Committee on Public Service Oversight,” he said.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said the Oireachtas committee was not going to be able to uncover the necessary facts.
"Fine Gael and Labour have lost any credibility on the issue, following the way in which they shamefully attempted to undermine GSOC over the last week. Their attempt to bury the surveillance story has brought our policing and political systems into disrepute.
“The Commissioner [Martin Callinan] intimated that the leaking of the story justified some of the concerns the gardaí had about their relationship with the Ombudsman’s office, but if anything is coming home to roost it is the need for greater powers to be given to the Ombudsman,” he said.
“The Government needs to change tack, set up a proper Commission of Investigation to answer the most basic of questions, and ask it to look at what new powers are needed. They need to do it fast, rather than burying the issue in committees for weeks or months.”
Independent TD Mattie McGrath yesterday alleged statements by Mr Shatter had contributed to destabilising trust in the democratic process.
The Tipperary South TD called for a change in legislation to increase the powers of GSOC as well as to reduce what he called the "sway" of the Minister for Justice with respect to the Garda Síochána.
“It has also been pointed out that The Garda Síochána Act 2005 gives too much power to the Minister to make demands of the Gardaí and it is also something that needs to be looked at urgently,” he said.
Independent TD Finian McGrath said he had major concerns regarding the future of GSOC.
“We were promised reform, change and accountability. Now, however, good and fair people are being hammered and whistleblowers are being taken out. This is another national scandal. Good and decent gardaí are doing their best - against the odds - but they are feeling the pressure. It is important to foster a good relationship between citizens and gardaí,” he said.
