The Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin TD has spoken out about the week’s events and the unfolding GSOC surveillance story, describing the saga as ‘deeply troubling’.

Deputy Martin commented, “Over the course of this week, we have seen an extraordinary story unfold. A critically important institution in our policing and justice infrastructure was the subject of covert surveillance. Instead of moving quickly to establish what exactly was happening and who was behind it, the full weight of the Government, from the Taoiseach down was used to try and isolate and undermine that victim of this surveillance.

“Simultaneously, we also learned of disturbing behaviour on the part of the Garda Confidential Recipient, who was recorded telling a Garda whistleblower that ‘if Shatter thinks you’re screwing him, you’re finished’. Instead of moving quickly to establish the truth of the claims and speak to the individual involved, Minister Shatter attacks the messenger and dismisses the issue.

“These events, and particularly the behaviour of the Government in response to them, have been deeply troubling.

“This has been a bad week for the country. It has been a bad week for transparency and accountability and it has been a bad week for public confidence in our institutions. The Taoiseach and the Justice Minister must bear responsibility for this damage.

“I appeal again to the Taoiseach to change direction, to stop the campaign to undermine GSOC, and to move quickly to establish an independent investigation into what happened at GSOC headquarters.”