asked the Minister for Justice whether it is to be understood from his statement in the Dáil on 17th February, 1949 (Volume 114, column 310) that he gave in private to a Deputy information as regards the outcome of the claim of the Garda Síochána for increased pay; if the Minister will state whether he simultaneously conveyed this information to the Garda Síochána Representative Body; and, if not, whether he will state the reasons why he by-passed this body.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Information on Garda Pay Claim.
On 17th November last Deputy Alfred Byrne asked whether a decision had been reached on the claim of the Garda Síochána for an increase in pay. My answer was that the matter was under consideration and that I hoped a decision would be reached shortly. The Deputy then asked whether there was any chance of a Christmas box and I said that I thought so, meaning to convey that I hoped for a favourable decision before Christmas. I did not convey any information simultaneously to the Garda Representative Body, because I had no information to convey.
Did the Minister for Justice authorise Deputy Byrne to convery this information to the Gardaí?
No more than the Gardaí authorised the Deputy to ask the question.
The Gardaí did not ask me to ask this question. I am concerned with the proprieties of this matter and whether it is proper and in the public interest that the Minister should use a political go-between to convey this information to the Gardaí.
Is that an accusation or a statement of fact?
It is both an accusation and a statement of fact.
It is neither one nor the other.
It is, according to the Minister's own admission, the truth.