Vol. 536 No. 6
57 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the position concerning the investigations initiated into the relationship between a company (details supplied) and gardaí concerned with procurement in the garda transport section; and when he proposes to report to Dáil Éireann on the investigation conducted. [14588/01]
I refer the Deputy to my responses to Questions Nos. 29 and 179 on 12 April 2001 and Question No. 509 on 1 May 2001 on this matter. However, for ease of reference, I will set out a summary of the situation.
A newspaper article, published on Sunday, 11 February 2001, alleged that members of the Garda Síochána and a civilian employee at Garda headquarters had participated in trips abroad paid for by a company which supplies tyres to the Garda Síochána. On 13 February 2001, I advised the House that the Garda Commissioner had asked a chief superintendent to examine the allegations. I also advised the House that I was of the view that the matter warranted an external examination and that the Secretary General of my Department, in his capacity as Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote, had instructed the internal audit unit of the Department to examine the matter.
The matter subsequently became the subject of a criminal investigation and I have been informed that the chief superintendent appointed by the Garda Commissioner has completed a full investigation file into the matters alleged and a copy has been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for his consideration. His directions are awaited.
That will take a few years.
In the circumstances, I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, given the importance of fair procedures, that it would be inappropriate for me to make any further comment about the matter at this stage. I hope my reply was sufficiently short.
The Minister previously informed the House that when his departmental official had completed his investigation into this matter, the Minister would report to the House. Does the Minister acknowledge it is contrary to the public interest that allegations of the nature that surfaced at the beginning of February still have not been addressed in the House four months later and that this is inimical to the reputation of An Garda Síochána?
The investigation being carried out by the internal audit unit in my Department is continuing and no effort is being spared in this regard. The necessary inquiries, when completed, will lead to a report which will be furnished to me and the Secretary General of the Department in his capacity as Accounting Officer. Whatever action is then appropriate will be taken. I do not understand Deputy Shatter's fixation with the idea that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform or I would bother our necks trying to cover up something which clearly deserves public exposition.
Will the Minister acknowledge it is a rational and reasonable suggestion that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform covers up such matters given the series of allegations concerning inappropriate conduct by members of An Garda Síochána on this and other issues and in respect of which the Minister, throughout his administration of the Department, has abysmally failed to report on in any detail to the House? Will the Minister clarify whether the investigation his Department is conducting is merely an audit investigation or if it is looking into the appropriateness of members of the Garda transport section going away on trips paid for by a company from which supplies are purchased?
Deputy Shatter is again making irrational claims and there is little one can do about a person who decides to engage in that during Question Time. However, I am treating the matter very seriously and that is why it is being investigated. It is not only an audit; it is an investigation into what I regard as very serious allegations which may have serious consequences. The chips will fall where the blame lies.
When will the Minister report to the House on these matters and furnish information to two Members of the House and to the public to which they are entitled?
At the earliest opportunity.
