asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that following an interview on 1st November last a signed statement was sent to C.I.E. by Mr. Bernard McCabe, of Ross, Mountnugent, County Cavan, concerning alleged forgery of tickets in connection with the payment of subsidy on ground limestone which was never delivered and the alleged misuse of C.I.E. transport in connection therewith; and what action was taken in regard to the interview and the statement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ground Limestone Subsidy: Alleged Forgery.
47.
As I have already indicated, the matter is being investigated by the Gardaí.
May I ask the Minister when the Garda Síochána were asked by the Minister's Department to——
Immediately the case was reported to me.
Is the Minister aware that full details with regard to the statement made to C.I.E. and a copy of the interview that took place were made available to the individual who owns the limestone quarry within three days of the interview with C.I.E.?
I have no knowledge of these matters. All I know is that this matter is in the hands of the Gardaí for a considerable time. I have no control over their activities but I am sure they are proceeding along the traditional lines for any police force in a matter of this kind.
I do not want to raise any question in connection with the Garda Síochána investigation, but would the Minister now state whether or not his Department were notified to the effect that after this interview with C.I.E. full details were made available to the managing director of the ground limestone company which is alleged to have——
The Deputy is going into detail in the matter and the Minister says he has no knowledge of the details.
The Minister may have misunderstood me. Was he aware that full details in regard to the interview with C.I.E. were conveyed back to the people against whom the allegations were made?
I have no day-to-day knowledge as to the procedure adopted by the police force in whose hands this matter has been from the outset.
I am simply asking——
The Minister says he has no knowledge of the details of the case.
I shall raise the question again.