asked the Taoiseach if he has received any indication from the Attorney General as to when the latter expects to receive the final reports of the special investigations being carried out into the recently attempted illegal importation of arms.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arms Imports Investigations.
1.
asked the Taoiseach when he expects the Attorney General to decide what action is to be taken by him arising out of evidence submitted by the Taoiseach in connection with the alleged activities of Deputies Blaney and Haughey in attempting to smuggle firearms into this country.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
The Attorney General's decision is expected to be taken as soon as he has completed his investigations and examination of the relevant documents and information. I have not received an indication as to when that might be.
Nobody wishes to rush the Attorney General unduly but the Taoiseach will appreciate the amount of disquiet there is about this whole affair? In view of the fact that serious allegations have been made against two ex-members of the Government who are still Members of this House, I want to get an assurance from the Taoiseach that this matter will not phase itself out.
Could the Taoiseach indicate what is the reason for the delay? Are investigations still continuing or have they concluded?
As far as I know, investigations are still proceeding. The Deputy will appreciate that I do not interfere in the activities of the Attorney General in such matters. In reply to Deputy Corish, when I was asked on a radio or television programme a week or two ago whether I thought the decision of the Attorney General would be known within months or within weeks I said that I hoped it would be within weeks. That is still my hope. I would not expect the matter to be phased out.
The case was handed to the Attorney General about two weeks ago.
Perhaps more than two weeks ago.
Is it not a fact that the Taoiseach informed the House that the Attorney General was privy to the initial investigation and that he joined with the Taoiseach in assessing the situation in the first place? Why should there be this delay now?
This is purely a legal matter within the competence of the Attorney General. I have not asked him about the delay but he is aware of my desire to have whatever action he may decide on, taken soon.
In the event of the Attorney General deciding not to take any action, can the Taoiseach say what he, himself, proposes to do since it was the Taoiseach who made the allegations?
I have not considered that yet.
May I ask the Taoiseach if the Attorney General is being permitted exclusively to act within his sole discretion, without any reference back and without any submission or direction from the Government?
I reject out of hand the implication in that question. I can assure the Deputy and the House that the Attorney General is acting within his own discretion, within his competence and completely objectively.
It is no harm for Deputy Desmond to tell the House and the country that this man attends at Government meetings.
Further, may I ask the Taoiseach if, apart from the criminal prosecutions envisaged or anticipated, if it is further intended to have a public inquiry—I would say a sworn inquiry—into the full circumstances of this particular conspiracy?
That is a separate question.
These two questions refer to the activities of the Attorney General and I have answered them to the extent I could.
Has the Attorney General had any interviews with any of the ex-Ministers?
I do not know what interviews the Attorney General has had.
Is it not true that in reply to a supplementary question the Taoiseach indicated that, in the event of the Attorney General not taking any action, he would bring the matter back to the House?
In reply to Deputy Corish in the course of the debate I said that that would not be the end of the matter as far as I was concerned.
I am certain the Taoiseach said he would bring the matter back to the House.
The question deals with the Attorney General.
The Taoiseach said that the statements and papers would be made available to the House in any event.
I suggest that the Deputy awaits the outcome of the Attorney General's inquiry.
We must be sure of where we are going.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Taoiseach's reply, I propose with your permission, Sir, to raise the matter on the Adjournment.