Let us consider the Minister’s speech. Some of it I welcome, including the tone of commiseration with the O’Farrell family. To a large extent, however, I believe he is just passing the parcel. Someone in the Garda may get a rap on the knuckles and that will be it. There are serious issues to be considered, including issues of principle and issues that affect not just this case but also a series of others, both in the past and future.
The Minister stated: “For clarity, let me state that the independent review mechanism was not established to act as a commission of inquiry or investigation”. That is one very good reason we should have such a commission of inquiry. My colleague, Senator Bacik, just indicated to me that the Lower House has just passed a resolution demanding an inquiry. That is the voice of the people. It will ring out from this Chamber also today.
Matters arise such as the conflict of interest. I am not impugning any base motives but one of the senior counsel involved in the so-called independent review mechanism was somebody who had represented the driver of the car. There is a clear conflict of interest. The Minister says he had nothing to do with the independent review mechanism.”