Sharp differences have emerged in Cabinet over Minister for Children Katherine Zappone's account of her meetings with Garda whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe.
Ms Zappone last night withdrew her earlier statement suggesting she had informed "relevant Government colleagues" about false allegations of child sexual assault made against Sgt McCabe, which had been disputed by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald.
The details of the false claims against Sgt McCabe, which were contained in files of Tulsa, the child protection agency, were given to Ms Zappone in a meeting. She had regular contacts with Sgt McCabe and his wife in recent weeks.
The false allegations of sexual assault of a child were as a result of a “clerical error”, Tusla has said.
Claims that Sgt McCabe was the subject of a smear campaign by Garda management because he revealed serious wrongdoing by a number of gardaí are to be investigated by a formal commission of investigation led by the Supreme Court judge Mr Justice Peter Charleton.
In a statement issued yesterday, Ms Zappone confirmed she knew that allegations had been made against Sgt McCabe.
Ms Zappone, who is out of the country, said she “informed relevant Government colleagues” during recent weeks.
Her spokesman refused to elaborate on her comments despite repeated requests from The Irish Times.
Senior denials
Both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste quickly rejected suggestions by Ms Zappone she had informed them of the Tusla controversy.
Spokespeople for both Mr Kenny and Ms Fitzgerald said they did not know about the Tusla files and the errors that led to allegations against Sgt McCabe until Thursday evening, when details were reported on RTÉ.
A spokesman for the Tánaiste said Ms Zappone had informed her she intended to meet Sgt McCabe but they did not discuss any details relating to Tusla or the allegations against him.
Later, Ms Zappone’s office released another statement saying it would have been “highly inappropriate . . . to brief the Cabinet on confidential, highly sensitive and personal information”.
In her statement, Ms Zappone also said she was “always of the view that Tusla would form part of the investigation by the commission of inquiry”.
However, this understanding was not shared by her Cabinet colleagues. The Government has now agreed to amend the terms of reference of the inquiry to specifically provide for the Tusla controversy to be examined.
Cabinet discussion
The terms of reference for the commission of investigation were discussed in detail at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Several Government sources have confirmed Ms Zappone did not raise the possibility of expanding the inquiry to examine Tusla, despite her knowledge. Her spokesman did not respond to questions why she did not raise the issue.
Despite further calls for Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan to step aside while the commission investigates the claims, the Government again expressed its confidence in her.
A spokesman for Mr Kenny said she retained his support, insisting no finding of fact had been made against her.
Ms O’Sullivan has consistently denied she had any part in or knowledge of a campaign to blacken the name of Sgt McCabe.
The chief executive of Tusla rejected any suggestion of collusion between Tusla and other State agencies in an alleged smear campaign.
“I would never, ever knowingly allow that to happen,” Fred McBride told RTÉ’s News at One.
