Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 4

Written Answers. - Indemnification of Ministers.

Jim Higgins

Question:

387 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has issued a similar clarification and indemnifications to former Ministers for Justice, namely Deputy J. Mitchell, Deputy Sean Doherty and Mr. Collins as that issued to Mr. Patrick Cooney, that he was not involved in any wrongdoing in the matter of the settlement arrived at with a journalist (details supplied); if he will clarify the previous terms contained in the letters to the Ministers concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27602/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

Proceedings brought by Mr. Patrick Cooney, former Minister for Justice, against Ireland and the Attorney General were settled on 28 October 1998 by agreement. In the proceedings, Mr. Cooney had sought vindication of his good name and reputation against any suggestion to the contrary implied in the earlier settlement of a case between the State and Mr. Vincent Browne, journalist. The press statement issued by my Department on 28 October made explicitly clear that the settlement of Mr. Cooney's case and the associated statement made in court did not imply that any other holder of the Office of the Minister for Justice was guilty of wrongdoing or breach of the law in this case in authorising interception of telecommunication messages.