I understand that documentation has been given to the Committee of Public Accounts by Mr. John Barrett which completely contradicts and undermines the account given by Commissioner O'Sullivan last Thursday about her conversations with Mr. Barrett over financial irregularities in Templemore. This latest development today comes after contradictory statements from Commissioner O'Sullivan and the executive director of human resources, the aforementioned Mr. Barrett.

Why will the Taoiseach not end the never-ending crisis and scandal surrounding the senior management of An Garda Síochána? This latest controversy follows scandals involving homicide figures, the falsification of 1 million breath tests, and the 14,700 unsafe convictions for driving offences. The Taoiseach will recall that all of this was preceded by allegations of a smear campaign against the brave whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe.

I am also concerned about the Taoiseach's refusal to act on detailed information which I gave him 18 months ago about the killing of Garda Tony Golden and other issues arising from that dreadful event. The Taoiseach and his Government have resisted all attempts directed by these matters to bring in the deep-rooted reforms that are required. The Taoiseach may say he is bringing in reforms now, but he has done so with extreme reluctance and only after serial scandals. His reforms do not go far enough. The last Government led by the Taoiseach voted against a detailed submission by Sinn Féin for root and branch reform of An Garda Síochána, including an independent policing board similar to that proposed by the Patten Commission in the North.

Let us be clear, the Taoiseach was not on his own in all of this. Way back in 2005, Teachta Ó Snodaigh made the same case to a Fianna Fáil-led Government and to the then Minister, Michael McDowell. At that time, Michael McDowell argued that there was not a level of corruption, incompetence or bad faith within An Garda Síochána which would warrant this. The Taoiseach made exactly the same argument ten years later. Now, in 2017, he has reiterated his confidence in the Garda Commissioner. The Commissioner's position in untenable. It is not easy to understand why the Taoiseach will not remove her from office. There is no rational explanation. The majority of parties in Leinster House want the Commissioner to go. The Taoiseach needs to act in the best interests of An Garda Síochána and for the sake of the people of this State. The Commissioner needs to go now. Will the Taoiseach finally accept this reality and relieve Nóirín O'Sullivan of her duties as Commissioner if she refuses to resign?

As Deputy Adams well knows, the Committee of Public Accounts is removed from the influence of the Oireachtas. I am not aware of the papers he to which he refers being given to that committee. They have certainly not come into my possession, nor should they if they were given directly to the Chairman or a member of the Committee of Public Accounts. I have confidence in the Garda Commissioner to do her job. This morning, the Cabinet approved the nomination of Kathleen O'Toole, the chief of police in Seattle, to chair the review body dealing with An Garda Síochána. She is an outstanding person of great experience in both legal and policing terms and has a deep understanding of the situation that applies here in Ireland. I expect that nomination to be ratified by Cabinet next week. In addition, the Cabinet also approved the terms of reference for the investigation into Project Eagle this morning, a matter which has been raised by Members on a number of occasions. Following receipt of further observations from the Fianna Fáil Party and from Deputy Wallace, I took those observations into account and had approval given for the terms of reference for that investigation. These actions are being taken by Government in respect of matters of public concern.

I expect Garda Commissioner O'Sullivan to do her job. She is expected to appear again before the Committee of Public Accounts. I understand that she is to go back for further discussion with the committee later this month or next month. I am not quite sure of the date.

I referred previously to the sad, unfortunate and tragic death of Tony Golden. I told Deputy Adams that there are two parallel investigations ongoing in respect of that murder. All of the evidence that Deputy Adams gave to me and to the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality has been transferred to those dealing with the matter. Obviously, it is important that the investigations into this sad and tragic case are allowed to be followed through on and that they take the information that the Deputy supplied into account. As to whether that information can stand up, it is not for me to comment on its veracity. I am sure the Deputy would not have given it to me without a good reason to do so.