Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 December 2014
114. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she has referred the information brought to her attention in relation to invoices sent from OSSL to Shell and E and P Ireland on 24 August 2012 regarding deliveries of alcohol to gardaí, to tax and customs authorities for investigation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46539/14]
View answerThe issue to which the Deputy refers concern allegations made by partners in a private company. The allegations were investigated by the statutory independent Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC). No evidence of the purchase or delivery of alcohol to Garda stations, nor of any misconduct of Garda members was found as a result of the investigation.
A full report on that investigation, which was published pursuant to Section 103 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, is available on the GSOC website. In that Report GSOC indicates that its inquiry began with numerous contacts with the complainants. However, when requested to provide documentary evidence in support of the allegations the company indicated they would no longer be cooperating with the investigation. Despite this lack of cooperation GSOC proceeded with its investigation, by identifying and interviewing relevant Garda personnel, before reaching its final conclusion.
In its Report, GSOC noted that the publicity surrounding these allegations had the potential to undermine confidence in An Garda Síochána. It was in this context that it took the decision to publicly explain, what it describes as, the fair, proportionate and independent investigation of the matter.
It is open to the Deputy to refer the material in question to the tax and customs authorities if she so wishes.
