asked the Minister for Justice if any arrest has been made to date by the Garda in regard to the housebreaking and the robbery at a residence (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if the authorities are seeking information and getting assistance in the solving of this serious crime.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Offaly Housebreaking.
7.
In accordance with the long-established tradition in this House, the Minister for Justice does not furnish reports about the progress of individual Garda investigations. It would be impracticable for him to undertake to do so, having regard to the number and variety of such investigations and the changing situations that occur.
It is, of course, open to a complainant or any other person with a bona fide interest in a particular case to write to the Garda Síochána and ask for information privately and I have no doubt that any information that may properly be supplied will, in fact, be supplied.
Is the Minister of State aware of the widespread publicity given to this matter which was due to the prominence of the owner of the residence? The stolen articles had great sentimental value, quite apart from the real value of the articles. Surely there must be some information on the file because this question has been down for the past month. In my experience it is most unlikely that the Garda authorities would not supply the Minister with information as to whether an arrest has been made or suspects interviewed in relation to this serious crime. The Minister must have some additional information on file because of the widespread publicity in Europe that was given to this very serious theft.
It would be impracticable for the Minister to undertake to comment on individual cases and I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that. I can assure him Garda inquiries are being actively pursued in this case. There is no reason to believe it should be treated differently from any other case.
There is every reason why this case should be treated with special urgency because of the sentimental value of the stolen articles and the general belief locally that no suspects were interviewed. Surely it is right and proper when results are not evident locally that Parliament should be the place to question the Minister for Justice?
I quite agree with the sentiments expressed by the Minister of State that it is in order for a Deputy to write to the Garda Commissioner in relation to a particular case. I feel, because of the widespread publicity given to this case, that the Minister for Justice should actively interest himself in this matter in order to keep the Garda Commissioner constantly reminded of the necessity for action to have this serious crime resolved and those responsible for it brought to justice.
Question No. 8.
Is the Minister not replying to the question?
I did not think that was a question.
The Deputy asked a question.
I very seldom put down a question to any Minister. I want to assure the Chair that I would not have put this question down if I was not absolutely convinced that this was one that should engage the special attention of the Minister for Justice.
The Chair has no control over the way questions are answered as Deputy Flanagan, from his long experience, knows. There is nothing the Chair can do about it.
Does the Chair agree that when a question of urgency and importance is put down to a Minister there is an obligation on the Minister to supply the House with all the information available?
The Chair neither agrees nor disagrees.
In view of the fact that the Chair neither agrees nor disagrees does he not think that Question Time becomes a farce unless the information which should be readily available is given?
The Deputy may seek to raise this in another way if he is not satisfied with the information he has got. I agree that Question Time is rapidly becoming a farce. Question No. 8.
I assure the Chair, having listened to Question Time today, and with seven questions dealt with in half an hour, that Question Time is really being turned into a farce. It is far from what it was 25 years ago.