asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that following the employment by a private organisation (details supplied) in Dublin of a number of ex-prisoners, the principal of that organisation was approached on 18 May by two special branch detectives who proceeded to warn him about the people he was employing; if he will state, in view of the fact that the men in question had been employed with a view to their rehabilitation following requests from the Prisoners Rights' Organisation, the reason the detectives called; the purpose of their visit; if this is the policy of his Department in relation to the employment of ex-prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment of Ex-Prisoners.
10.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that this matter arose when the persons in question, who were known to be former prisoners, were observed by gardaí loading a printing press on to a trailer unit. On being questioned they informed the gardaí that they were working for the organisation in question. The gardaí subsequently called to the residence of the principal of the organisation to verify that the information which they had been given was correct. The Garda authorities state that, having checked that the information was correct, the members concerned, far from warning the principal about the persons he was employing as is stated in the question, in fact complimented him for his involvement in the rehabilitation of ex-prisoners.
Was there much delay between the gardaí noticing these men loading the equipment and their call to the employer?
I do not have that information at present but I will get it for the Deputy if he so wishes.
Would the Minister not agree that if these men told them that they were employed and the gardaí had any doubt about it, they would have taken immediate steps to protect the property that they were doubtful about or, if they had no doubt about it, then their call to the employer was gratuitous?
The gardaí acted responsibly on that occasion.