asked the Minister for Justice if the remarks attributed to the Garda in the media in relation to a programme (details supplied) broadcast on RTE regarding the security arrangements for the visit by the British ambassador to Sneem, County Kerry, are correct; whether the press release issued by the Government on 19 August 1987 indicated that the Garda were following a definite line of inquiry and whether in the interim Garda reports to the Government it was indicated that the Garda authorities believed that no subversive organisation were involved in the incident; the way in which the breach of security occurred; his views on whether the ambassador's travel arrangements were at any time made available to a subversive organisation; and if he will make a statement as to how a confidential Garda document came into the possession of a journalist (details supplied).
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kerry Visit by British Ambassador.
I do not know exactly which views the Deputy is referring to in the first part of the question. As to the disclosure itself, I want to say first that details of the ambassador's travel plans were not disclosed. Details of Garda administrative arrangements concerning the ambassador's visit to Kerry, however, were disclosed on RTE.
It is regrettable that the journalist who received the copy of the Garda document did not immediately hand it in to the Garda. It is a matter of further regret that he finds himself unable to inform the Garda of the exact source from which he obtained it.
Deputies will be aware that the journalist concerned has claimed that he received it from a member of an unlawful organisation. On 19 August last, the Government issued a statement to the effect that they had been informed by the Garda authorities that the indications at that stage were that no subversive organisation were involved in the incident. The Garda informed me yesterday that this is still their view.
The Garda have explained to me the reasons for their belief that no subversive organisation were involved, but, for security reasons, I do not propose to go any further into this matter. Anyone who wishes to refute what the Garda say in this connection would need to supply some further information or evidence in support of their contention.
An exhaustive investigation into the unauthorised leaking of the document was carried out by the Garda. That investigation followed a definite line of inquiry. The precise source of the leak has not yet been discovered but considerable progress has been made. That is as far as I can go in relation to this aspect of the matter at present.
Let me say to the Minister that if the Garda were so sure of where it came from they would not have to ask the journalist in question. Did the Minister in consultation with the Garda Síochána give instructions to the Garda press officer to contact RTE and to threaten to invoke the Official Secrets Act if this programme went ahead and if this document was disclosed?
I just want to say in relation to the first comment made by Deputy Harney that the Garda Síochána would always welcome any help at any time in respect of any investigation which has to be carried out particularly so in this case as no one has admitted that he or she was the person responsible for the leak. A statement was issued by the Garda Síochána Press Office on 13 August and I was made aware that that statement was being released. It was the right of the Garda Síochána to issue such a statement.
Is it true that the Minister gave an instruction to the Garda Síochána to threaten to invoke the Official Secrets Act and that the Garda press officer, Superintendent Frank Hanlon, rang RTE to relay this information?
The Deputy understands incorrectly.
I am delighted to hear that as I do not like political censorship of that kind. Let me say to the Minister that the Garda Press Office went on to say that it was a garda disgruntled with his conditions who leaked this document to the journalist in question. Does the Minister believe this to be the case?
The Deputy will now appreciate why the Garda Síochána were anxious that the particular journalist involved should have told them from whom he got this document. I will not go into the details of the investigation which is still going on except to say that the matter has not been resolved satisfactorily as yet and that it is the intention of the Garda Síochána to see to it that it will be.
Is the Minister satisfied that the Garda Síochána are following a definite line of inquiry, or is that simply an excuse not to cause any further embarrassment?
If the Garda Síochána inform me they are following a definite line of inquiry I am satisfied that that is the position.