The Independent Alliance has said it considered withdrawing from Government over the handling of the Garda whistleblower controversy.
The group, which includes of Minister for Transport Shane Ross and Minister of State Finian McGrath, said it was extremely concerned at the contradictions between Enda Kenny and Minister for Children Katherine Zappone over the alleged smear campaign against Sgt Maurice McCabe.
Mr Ross confirmed it would support the Government in the confidence motion on Wednesday evening, but said it had serious concerns over the miscommunication between Ministers.
He said the Alliance’s continued participation in Government required a comprehensive resolution to the plight of Sgt Maurice McCabe.
During a meeting with Taoiseach Enda Kenny on Wednesday evening, the Independent Alliance secured agreement for an external independent audit of An Garda Síochána to be carried out by a policing expert and which will take place over a nine-month period.
In a statement following the meeting, the group said they were “dismayed and, frankly, disturbed, by contradictory versions of events which have emerged this week.
“Some aspects of Cabinet communications are not working effectively or appropriately. This is not how we wish to do business.”
The Alliance met on Wednesday morning to discuss the fallout from the McCabe controversy and their concern about the Taoiseach’s handling of the saga.
A confidence debate in the Government started about 7pm, with a vote expected shortly after 10pm.
Fianna Fáil will abstain from the confidence vote to ensure the Government’s survival, but the position of the Taoiseach has come under renewed scrutiny.
During leaders questions in the Dáil on Wednesday, Mr Kenny came under pressure from the Opposition in the Dáil over when he knew about the allegations of sexual crimes made against Sgt Maurice McCabe and included in a Tusla file.
During the discussion, Mr Kenny referred again to his conversation on the matter with Ms Zappone.
Mr Kenny repeated he had been made aware of a Tusla file by Ms Zappone but she did not comment on any detail in the conversation she had had with Mr McCabe.
Meeting
Separately, Minister for Communications Denis Naughten and Independent Deputy Dr Michael Harty met directly with the Taoiseach on Wednesday morning to discuss the McCabe issue.
The purpose of the meeting was to hear personally from the Taoiseach about the events that have unfolded since late last week.
Mr Naughten said he wanted to see a better handling of sensitive Government memos.
The Taoiseach agreed to put in place a mechanism around this area that will ensure Ministers Naughten and Zappone receive briefings on sensitive memos prior to Cabinet meetings.
The Taoiseach also confirmed on Wednesday that the Government will examine widening the scope of the public inquiry to examine other Garda whistleblower cases.
A Cabinet meeting is to take place on Thursday to discuss the scope of the public inquiry into the McCabe case.
Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald is to meet with the justice spokespersons for each party before presenting the terms to her Government colleagues.
There had been calls from Fianna Fáil to expand the investigation to include the cases of other whistleblowers.
Speaking on the Inside Politics podcast, Fianna Fail TD John McGuinness said he would seek his party’s support to extend the tribunal of inquiry to facilitate other Garda whistleblowers.
Mr McGuinness said the investigation could be done in modular form, Mr McCabe’s case to take priority.
The Carlow-Kilkenny TD said Fianna Fáil should step outside the confidence and supply arrangement it has with the Government on issues like this.
He believes the party should vote against the investigation if it is not satisfied with the terms of reference.
Mr Justice Peter Charleton, who had initially been asked to chair a commission of inquiry into the case, is unlikely to oversee the work of the public inquiry.
A replacement judge has yet to be found.
