Vol. 470 No. 1
264 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Justice when she expects to receive the findings of the internal Garda investigation into the visit by the gardaí to offices of a firm of solicitors, which visit had been notified in advance to the press; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18627/96]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that on 3 October 1996 the gardaí carried out a search of the offices of a firm of solicitors, in accordance with law as provided for under section 64 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1994. The Commissioner is satisfied that the search was conducted in a professional and competent manner. While the Deputy does not suggest that advance information about this visit had been given to the media by the gardaí, I want to say, for the avoidance of any doubt that might arise from the way her question is framed, that the Commissioner did not authorise release of any information on this matter to the media and he does not accept that officers of the Garda Síochána released such information either. To have done so would have been totally contrary to the established policy of preserving the anonymity of persons affected by these searches.
