No one in Sinn Féin takes any personal pleasure in the resignation of Deputy Alan Shatter. He has a spouse, a family and a wider family upset by this development. Tá nuacht tagtha chun cinn le déanaí a chuireann níos mó brú ar an Teachta Shatter. Mar is eol don Taoiseach, tá sé i mbéal an phobail le tamall fada anois. Tá sé soiléir nach bhfuil deireadh le sin fós.

The resignation comes as we await the outcome of separate investigations into the bugging controversy at GSOC and claims of Garda malpractice by whistleblowers and it follows a period in which Deputy Alan Shatter's judgment on a range of serious policing and justice issues has undermined public confidence but he was not in it on his own. The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste supported him and resisted strongly and rubbished sensible suggestions from the Sinn Féin spokesperson on justice, Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, to deal with these matters independently of the Minister in a transparent and appropriate way. Labour and Fine Gael voted confidence in the Minister. It was not just the Minister who has presided over the recent series of controversies, although he was a central actor and the author of a litany of mistakes. He defamed the two Garda whistleblowers and misled the Dáil. The Taoiseach set out, in an inappropriate way, the need for the ombudsman to go to the Minister when that was not the case. He allowed false statements to stand and corrected them only when it was politically expedient to do so. He and the Taoiseach actively sought to minimise the concerns of GSOC that its offices were being bugged. Does the Taoiseach expect other resignations and did he seek the Minister's resignation?

We could give the Taoiseach a few names.

The answer to both questions is "No". When the report is published, the Deputy and everyone else will have a chance to read it and an opportunity to debate it here. I hope we can conclude on the terms of reference for the commission of investigation, which the report recommends. On behalf of the Government, I said that these were serious matters that would be treated seriously and the Government responded immediately by appointing Mr. Guerin, SC, to look into them. I indicated to the House that when the report was sent to me I would receive it, read it and see that it was published. Following through on that, the report will be published in accordance with the parameters set in respect of privacy. It will be published on Friday morning. Having read the report and considered its implications, the Minister sent me his letter of resignation, which I accepted with regret.

The Taoiseach did not ask for his resignation, as I understand it. In 2009, the former Fianna Fáil Minister, Deputy Willie O'Dea, made defamatory remarks to a journalist about the Sinn Féin Limerick council candidate Maurice Quinlivan. Deputy Willie O'Dea swore an affidavit that he had not made those remarks and then retracted it when a journalist produced a tape-recording of the comments. The Taoiseach then tabled at motion of no confidence in Deputy Willie O'Dea and sought, quite rightly, his resignation at that time. Surely that rationale must apply to this case. Cad é an difir? Last night, like Tammy Wynette, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste were standing by their man. If the Minister had not offered his resignation, he would still be the Minister. Where is the rationale between the Taoiseach's position in 2009 and his current position?

The Taoiseach might send someone around to his house.

Will the Deputy stay quiet please?

It has come up regularly in canvassing that people have long since lost confidence in the Minister. This is bigger than the Minister because there are ways and means of dealing with the issues that depoliticise them, that are transparent and that allow people to have confidence. Everyone makes mistakes but a system that allows citizens to have a sense of control over their politicians will prevent the kind of catastrophe we have seen. I am sure the Taoiseach will agree with me that these events highlight the need for fundamental reform of the administration of justice and the Garda Síochána. The Taoiseach should not be pulled into it but should do it as a reforming Government. The Taoiseach has failed to do so. It will be borne out as the reports are published that the Minister for Justice and Equality is not the only one culpable. That will become clear and people will remember how the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste stood by, reinforced, rubbished and dismissed genuine efforts to try to sort out these matters. Does the Taoiseach expect other resignations? Does he expect resignations from the Department?

I have already answered that question. In respect of the Fianna Fáil Deputy mentioned, with respect, Deputy Alan Shatter is not Deputy Willie O'Dea. The Minister considered the implications of the report. GSOC did not co-operate with Mr. Guerin. The terms of reference included the fact that Mr. Guerin was authorised to interview Sergeant McCabe and such persons as may be considered necessary and capable of providing relevant and material assistance. Despite this being an element of the terms of reference, at no time was the Minister interviewed by Mr. Guerin. Even so, the report was concluded and prepared and he understands that. Documentation was forwarded by the Department to the senior counsel but he decided not to interview the Minister. For that reason and the reason of the report's conclusion of inadequate use of the Minister's statutory powers and responsibilities for independent investigation of matters, the Minister decided that he should tender his resignation, which I have accepted with regret. Over my many years in politics, I have never seen anyone with a work ethic like that displayed by Deputy Alan Shatter in terms of his work and commitment to his responsibility.

The Taoiseach did not take our advice.

Deputy Adams is not one to judge. The Deputy will not shush me or bully me. He will not bully me.

I called Deputy Clare Daly.

Deputy Adams will not bully me.

Please, Deputy. I call Deputy Clare Daly. I will not ask Deputy Buttimer again.

Can the Ceann Comhairle ask Deputy Buttimer to withdraw that remark?

No, Deputy Adams should resume his seat. I do not know what he is talking about.

Deputy Buttimer is under pressure.