Vol. 473 No. 6
20 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice whether the Garda has instituted any inquiries or proceedings as a result of information which has emerged from the Dunnes affair; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2394/97]
I am sure the House will join with me in expressing sympathy to the Minister for Justice, Deputy Owen, on the death of her mother.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the matter in question is not the subject of a Garda investigation as no complaint alleging the commission of a criminal offence has been made to them.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Dáil approved a motion on 19 December establishing a subcommittee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to deal with Judge Buchanan's report into the question of payments to Oireachtas Members and other persons.
I join with the Minister of State in extending my sincere sympathy and that of my party colleagues to the Minister for Justice, Deputy Owen, to her sister Mrs. Mary Banotti, MEP, and other family members on the death of their mother.
In the light of the Minister of State's reply, does he accept that foot-dragging on this affair is giving the general public the view that it stinks to high heaven? It is in the interest of every Member of this House that the Government should expedite with all possible speed, as far as it can, the inquiry being carried out by Judge Buchanan. The matter should then be dealt with by the committee investigating the Lowry-Dunnes affair which has been set up and is due to meet today.
The Deputy will be aware that this House approved the way it would proceed on this matter. On 19 December the House approved the motion establishing a subcommittee and that is the way we will proceed. The Garda can only investigate on the basis of a complaint alleging a breach of the criminal law. That is the question the Deputy asked.
One could be forgiven for believing the Government is trying to get to the line, the line being a general election. There is a pall of suspicion around the country. Innuendo is being passed as the truth, rumour is being represented as fact, and nobody seems to know what the exact position is, despite the fact that this matter has been in the public arena for more than two months. Does the Minister accept that it would be in the interest of democracy for the Government to take a different approach if it is felt the matter will drag on for very much longer?
The Government is determined the truth of this will be a matter of public record and every fact in relation to it will see the light of day. Regarding the suggestion that there is a pall of suspicion, that there is innuendo and rumour, unfortunately the Deputy's remarks probably contribute to that perception. Nobody can be forgiven for believing the Government has any determination in this matter other than to get to the bottom of it.
I just want to place it on the public record that Fianna Fáil is tired of the foot-dragging; this matter is proceeding at a snail's pace and Fianna Fáil wants it finalised.
