asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of a visit by a garda to the chairperson of the National Flatdwellers' Association on 4 November 1977 and if he is aware that there were subsequent visits by the Garda to this person's flat and that on 10 August 1980 a further visit was made by members of the Garda to this person; whether this visit was made with the authorisation of the Commissioner and with his knowledge; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - National Flatdwellers' Association.
304.
I want to say at the outset that, as a matter of principle, I do not propose to disclose whether a particular visit or other action by members of the Garda Siochaéna was or was not carried out with the personal authorisation and knowledge of the Commissioner. That is entirely an internal Garda matter and one which is in any event irrelevant in the context of the question. Members of the Garda Síochána are authorised by virtue of their office to carry out a wide range of duties and functions without reference to their senior officers and do so in practice every day of the week.
As to the substantive aspects of the question, I am informed by the Garda authorities that on 3 November 1977 members of the Garda Siochaéna searched a flat occupied by the chairperson of the National Flatdwellers Association on foot of a search warrant issued in accordance with law. I am informed that the Garda seized certain documents during the course of the search, and that later some difficulty arose about the return of the documents when the person concerned insisted on giving a receipt for them in a form that was not acceptable to the Garda Siochaéna. This resulted in some further visits by the Garda to the flat. When the person subsequently agreed to take the documents and give an itemised receipt for them they were returned to him.
I am further informed that the person referred to made a formal complaint against members of the Garda who visited his flat in the course of routine inquiries on 10 August last. This complaint has been investigated by the Garda authorities who say they are satisfied that the Garda members concerned did not exceed their authority in performing their duties as members of the Force on the occasion in question.