In 2012, the Taoiseach said we would be voting to insert an article in the Constitution “dedicated entirely to children as individuals, as citizens in their own right” - that hasn't happened yet

TAOISEACH Enda Kenny has revealed that he has personally received details of three dozen allegations of garda wrongdoing over the past fortnight.

Mr Kenny said that some of the correspondence contain allegations of a very serious nature and that he now must decide who is responsible for examining the contents.

Details of the allegations were received by Mr Kenny's private office since revelations emerged surrounding the widespread taping of garda stations across the country.

According to Mr Kenny, some of the claims received in recent days relate to allegations of wrongdoing and garda corruption that dates back years.

"I've got three dozen cases on my desk now of allegations from members of the community, members of the gardai, about actions and allegations that are very serious. I have no idea if any of them are true or not," he said.

The Taoiseach made the revelations during a debate in the Seanad last night on the establishment of the Independent Commission into the tapes scandal.

Mr Kenny told senators that his sole interest in setting up the Commission is "pursuing the truth" which he is said is at the heart of the public interest.

"It appears that the practices which will be investigated by the Commission may have been going on for 30 years. I believe that the establishment of the Commission is the most appropriate, timely and cost effective way of getting to the truth," he said.

"I believe that the Commission’s comprehensive Terms of Reference will ensure that all relevant issues are investigated in a thorough and timely manner and I commend the motion to the House," he added.

Mr Kenny made reference to the Sophie Toscan du Plantier case - which sparked the revelations of the recording of phone calls in garda stations.

He said that the murder has never been solved french woman's killer "may well be at large

"Over the course of the process of discovery, it transpired that there were recorded conversations in Bandon Station, these have been transcribed and a number of them are stark and critical in respect of the case being pursued. The family have never had closure," Mr Kenny told the Seanad.

"Now, I believe that out of all of this will come a situation where you will have an independent and statutory garda authority which will bring transparency, accountability, pride to those men and women who wear the uniform of An Garda Siochana in a way that the citizens of this country can have faith and believe in the integrity and the quality of what they do."

Mr Kenny said he supported a decision referred to by Senator Hildegarde Naughton to civilianise the the human resource management element of An Garda Siochana.

And he reiterated that €2m will be spent on ensuring the Commission of Inquiry can properly carry out its remit.

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