Live BlogIt’s noon and that can only mean one thing on a Wednesday in Leinster House – Leaders’ Questions.
“Everyone’s entitled to presumption of innocence but when serious issues like this arise, the subject should stand aside
“Our primary duty here is that the Garda Siochana, who have been battered and bruised, that we restore confidence to it.” He said “decisive and clear action” is now needed.
Kenny says it is not possible to put the entire report into the public domain.
There is “an obligation to protect the good names and reputations of people who have untested allegations leveled against them,” says Kenny.
“Furthermore I must caution that those who made the allegations are still entitled to have their identity protected.”
Paul Murphy is now up talking about undercover British police operating in Ireland.
The Ceann Comhairle is on his feet again, objecting.
Murphy makes the point that this has all been said before and is in the public domain.
There is a huge number of questions, says Murphy.
Enda Kenny says the minister will be meeting the Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire about this issue next week.
Brendan Howlin says the charges that have been laid at the door of the Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan are serious.
He says the members have not been furnished with the report – even in redacted form. This isn’t good enough,” says Howlin.
The fact the Garda Commissioner remains in her position is “troubling”,he tells the chamber.
Howlin says he was in touch with a journalist today claiming they have certain evidence.
The Labour TD says he is prepared to give evidence to Commission of Investigation.
The Ceann Comhairle says what Howlin is saying is “extremely dangerous.”
Howlin and Ceann Comhairle discuss whether it’s proper to do this.
Enda Kenny tells Howlin the report will be published today.
He says the allegations are vehemently denied. “There are set procedures that have to be followed.”
He says O’Neill report makes no findings against anyone. She [the Garda Commissioner] is entitled to our full support,” says the Taoiseach.
Gerry Adams raises the issue of of the transport for transplant patients by the air corp.
He specifically mentions the case a teenager Meadhbh McGivern.
Enda Kenny says the service is dependent of the availability of aircraft and the staff to fly them. He says the air corp is highly experienced, but said there is a shortage of pilots.
The Taoiseach says they continue to supply inter-hospital transport, but at a reduced rate, due to the staff shortages.
He says there are 28 cadets going through training now and added that the department of health is looking at what can be done to ensure patients can travel within the four hour period.
“Here’s the crux of it all” says Adams, outlining that none of the current class of cadets will be able to fly until perhaps 2018.
“These parents they need clarity about what arrangements are in place.”
Can you outline the contingency plan that if a call came now that a transplant is ready, what would happen? asks Adams.
Enda Kenny says she did not travel to the US, but did speak to the company’s chief executive in the last days.
He said the minister will be answering questions later on today and she will provide more details.
Kenny says it is unfortunate that the printing technology has “fallen out of date” but says supports will be offered to the workers that lost their jobs today.
Martin wants more.
He wants to know if the minister travelled to California to meet with the company and how many meetings were held since October – which he said was when the company flagged there would be job losses worldwide.
Martin also wants to know when did the Jobs Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor meet with Hewlett-Packard.
Enda Kenny tells the Dáil he is thinking about the workers and their families today.
“Thanks be to God” this is not a common occurrence in these days, says the Taoiseach.
He said the IDA have been involved “intensely” with the company over the last period.
He said the IDA chief executive travelled to California to meet the Hewlett-Packard and the minister also spoke to the company last week.
They were not for turning on their decision, said the Taoiseach, adding that the department will involve themselves directly with the plant.
On the matter of how the information was leaked, the Taoiseach said privacy doesn’t seem to be a matter of concern anymore. He says it is unfortunate they had to hear about it on the national airwaves.
He makes the point that Leixlip is a brilliant location, a brilliant building and said it could be sold as a going concern.
The Fianna Fáil leader says the job losses was obviously flagged and urged the government to have a plan in place in terms of supporting the workers, getting them new jobs and training.
What does the minister have in terms of a comprehensive response, he asks.
Martin says it was very disturbing that workers had to hear that they might have lost their jobs on the national airwaves. He wants assurances that no one in government leaked the information.
Oh. There goes someone’s mobile phone in the chamber.
Micheál Martin is up.
He says he thinks everyone in the House is disappointed to hear about the loss of jobs in Hewlett-Packard in Leixlip. He says the plant closure will have a huge impact on the families and also on the local area.
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