Gay Mitchell
Question:7 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice if inquiries into irregularities in the Garda anti-racketeering unit have been concluded; and the result of these inquiries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Anti-Racketeering Unit.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the inquiries into alleged irregularities in the Garda anti-racketeering unit have not, as yet, been concluded.
Will the Minister say why these investigations which have been ongoing for some considerable time have not been concluded? Serious allegations have been made about irregularities in this unit, which has all but been disbanded, including the recording of telephone conversations of a Member of the Oireachtas. When will the investigation into these serious allegations be completed? Who is carrying out the investigation? Will the Minister give us an assurance that the Garda are not dragging their heels in this matter and when will she be in a position to give a detailed statement to the House?
The Deputy has answered his question by stating that serious allegations were made. Because the inquiries into these allegations have to be very thorough they will take time. The allegations are being investigated by the Garda Commissioner and there is no dragging of heels. Rather there is enormous pressure on the Garda Commissioner and his office to ensure that the inquiries are brought to a conclusion as quickly as possible.
Will the Minister agree that this is the second investigation into these allegations? The investigation carried out by a chief superintendent did not take as long to complete and apparently it was satisfied that all was well. Why is it taking so long to complete this investigation? Will the Minister give us an assurance that she is not hoping the matter will go away as time goes on and that she will give a full and detailed report to this House of the investigation into the activities of the Garda anti-racketeering unit, its disbandment and reconstitution?
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for a full and very detailed report on the serious allegations made against the anti-racketeering unit. As the Deputy correctly pointed out, a number of changes took place in the unit. After the first investigation, the results of which were given to the Garda Commissioner, certain other information came to light which both the Garda Commissioner and I strongly felt should be investigated by him. That investigation is ongoing. I will have no difficulty in giving the information in that report to the House when it becomes available to me.