WHISTLEBLOWER: WHISTLING PAST THE GRAVEYARD

What may happen: Astonishing claims against the Garda Commissioner are heard in the Tribunal. The Minister for Justice is called in for cross-examination on this issue. A public furore erupts forcing the Justice Minister to call for the resignation of Nóirín O’Sullivan. Commissioner refuses. Opposition, including Fianna Fáil, call for the head of the Justice Minister.

Possible outcome: A Dáil furore breaks out. In a reprise of the Martin Callinan debacle where Enda Kenny had to lose a Commissioner to save a justice minister whom he later sacked, the crisis spirals out of control. On this occasion the absence of political credit means the whistleblower scandal becomes the Watergate that tumbles the entire edifice.