McEntee declines to back calls for disclosures inquiry
by Barry Lenihan, https://www.facebook.com/rtenews/ · RTE.ieMinister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Helen McEntee has declined to back calls for a statutory public inquiry into the handling of protected disclosures within An Garda Síochána following this week's RTÉ Investigates programme.
Garda representative bodies and opposition politicians have called for an inquiry with the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, saying that they have "serious concerns around the independence of the protected disclosures process" within the garda force.
The former Minister for Justice also insisted she will not consider her position at Cabinet in light of the revelations contained within the broadcast.
RTÉ Investigates reported this week that two people who handled protected disclosures made by garda whistleblowers have themselves blown the whistle, alleging that reforms introduced to protect those who speak out have been undermined by senior management.
Speaking at a Fine Gael conference for small businesses in Dublin today, Ms McEntee reiterated on a number of occasions her position from the Dáil on Thursday that she had "adhered to the law at all times" when it came to protected disclosures during her time at the Department of Justice.
"That's a matter for the Minister for Justice, that's not for me to decide," said the Meath East TD when asked should there be a public inquiry into the issues.
"My understanding is he's [Jim O'Callaghan] made a decision on that this morning [not to hold an inquiry] so I'm not going to cross over that," she added.
On calls for urgent action to ensure the protected disclosure process within An Garda Síochána is independent, Ms McEntee again refrained from offering a viewpoint, saying it was a matter for the Minister for Justice.
Labour TD Alan Kelly has accused Ms McEntee of either "incompetence or a mistake" in her handling of a protected disclosure, adding that it is something that will "haunt" her and the Government in which she served.
But Ms McEntee said she had no reason to relinquish her position as minister.
"I'm not considering my position," she said, "So I adhere to the law and I think all of my colleagues adhere to the law. And the law that was introduced by [former Minister for Public Expenditure] Brendan Howlin - that was supported by Deputy Alan Kelly - is very clear that protected disclosures are not to be discussed. I'll say it again and I will continue to say it, that I've adhered to that law at all times."
Ms McEntee refused to say whether she would be happy to come before the Dáil next week to answer questions on the matter but indicated she had already said all she could on the RTÉ investigation.
Opposition politicians have called for the Dáil schedule to be amended to facilitate such a move next week.
"I'm not sure what much further I could say in the Dáil to be very honest, more than what I'm saying here. I've answered questions already. I actually appeared before the Dáil on Thursday morning."
She added that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will begin a review into protected disclosure structures within An Garda Síochána at the end of the year, having been mandated to do so under law by 2027.
"I would encourage all stakeholders, I think anybody who has a desire to or a requirement, to engage with that overall review and that overall process," Ms McEntee said.
The former Minister for Justice also defended her tenure in the role, adding how she "made reforms which actually enhanced the oversight of protected disclosures within An Garda Síochána" and that she had "strengthened the Audit Committee, strengthened the Board and introduced Fiosrú".
In a statement, RTÉ said that "following detailed correspondence from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions about an upcoming court case referenced, the documentary has been removed temporarily from the RTÉ Player pending the conclusion of these proceedings".
"RTÉ will continue to report on the public interest questions raised in the programme and the programme will be made available again on the RTÉ Player in due course."