asked the Minister for Justice if he will state in relation to alleged irregularities concerning houses built in Cork (a) the date on which these allegations were first reported to the Garda authorities; (b) the nature of the investigations carried out by the Garda; (c) the number of persons from whom statements were taken; (d) whether Cork Corporation was consulted; (e) whether the statements were sent to the Attorney General, and, if so, on what date; and (f) when it is expected to finalise the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Housing Scheme Allegations.
38.
The matter was brought to the notice of the Garda on 2nd July, 1965. They took statements from seven complainants and from officials of Cork Corporation and submitted reports of their investigations to the Chief State Solicitor for the information of the Attorney General.
It would be contrary to established practice and it would not be in the interests of the administration of justice to disclose any information in regard to the nature of police investigations or to the internal relations of the police with the Law Officers.
Arising out of that reply, I should point out that I asked specific questions (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f). I have not got a reply to those questions. I think I am entitled to a reply to each of the sections in the question which I put to the Minister.
The Deputy has had a comprehensive reply.
I have been informed that the Garda investigation started on 2nd July, 1965. I have also been informed that statements were taken.
Statements were taken from seven complainants and from officials of Cork Corporation.
I did not get the date on which the complaints were sent to the Attorney General. If the Minister gave this, I did not hear it.
I informed the Deputy that the reports are with the Attorney General at the present point of time.
Since when? I am entitled to an answer.
I might say that those investigations have, to a certain extent, taken place as a result of representations made by the Taoiseach, who was the first Cork Deputy to raise the matter initially.
I think I am entitled, as a Deputy, to elicit from the Minister for Justice the date on which the papers were sent to the Attorney General. I asked that in my question and I want a reply to it.
As long as this House has been a House, it has always been the practice of the Minister for Justice and the Attorney General to conduct investigations in regard to criminal matters with a reasonable degree of secrecy. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that this is entirely a matter which is under investigation, in respect of which charges are contemplated and the outcome of which we are awaiting.
I am not going to be lectured by the Minister for Justice or anybody else in this House as to my rights. I want to know from the Minister for Justice when the papers were sent to the Attorney General. I am entitled to that information. I am also entitled to a reply to (f) in my question: when it is expected that this matter will be finalised.
Whatever is in (f) refers to the matter under consideration.
I want to know the date on which the papers were sent to the Attorney General.
Why not answer the Deputy's question?
The Deputy wants to know the date on which the papers were sent to the Attorney General. Will the Minister reply to that?
I have informed the Deputy that the papers are with the Attorney General at the moment. Possible charges are being considered and the outcome of those will be made known in due course.
Question No. 39.
I propose to raise the subject matter of this question on the Adjournment.
The Deputy may not raise two questions on one day.
I can raise one today and another tomorrow.
The Deputy will have to give notice again.
On a point of order, why will the Minister not give the answer to the Deputy now?