Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 6

Written Answers - Garda Disciplinary Proceedings.

Joe Costello

Question:

89 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures which have been taken to ensure that letters addressed to Members of the Oireachtas are delivered to those Members; the measures which have been taken to ensure that letters addressed to Members are not read by members of the Garda Síochána without the consent of the Members; the disciplinary measures taken against a member of the Garda Síochána who wrote to a Member of the Oireachtas on 23 November 2001; the reason those disciplinary measures were taken; if disciplinary measures are still pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8589/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The first part of the Deputy's question does not come within my area of responsibility. As regards the opening of letters addressed to members of the Oireachtas in the unique circumstances of this case, and related disciplinary measures taken against a member of the Garda Síochána, the position is as I outlined in my oral reply of 12 March to a similar question put by the Deputy.