Garda Investigations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2010

Tuesday, 23 November 2010

Questions (197)

Charles Flanagan

Question:

213 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will seek a report from the Garda Commissioner on the matter of media reports to the effect that the Garda investigation into Anglo-Irish Banks is being hampered by an inability on the part of investigating officers to access computer records by reason of not having proper access to password codes and if it is beyond the capacity of the Garda technical operators and experts to access the necessary devices in the course of a serious criminal investigation. [44045/10]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the investigation, which is being carried out jointly with the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, referred to by the Deputy is ongoing, with a view to presenting cases to the Director of Public Prosecutions, and in the circumstances it would not be appropriate for me to comment on its operational aspects.

However, I have been assured by the Garda Commissioner that An Garda Síochána has no higher priority than completing it and that An Garda Síochána possesses sufficient technical expertise in relation to the various aspects of this ongoing investigation.