asked the Minister for Justice whether he has received the final Garda report into the incident at Claremorris in December; whether he intends to take any further action on foot of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Claremorris Incident Report.
6.
I have received a comprehensive report about the incident from the Garda Commissioner from which it is clear that the planning and execution of the operation were not conducted with the level of efficiency to be expected from the Garda Síochána. The Commissioner has decided to take a number of steps on foot of the report but since these relate to internal Garda administration I do not feel free to go into any detail about the matter.
Is the Minister of State satisfied that the plans and recommendations that will be made will help to avoid a similar situation occurring?
Operational Garda matters are the sole responsibility of the Garda Commissioner and we have full confidence in his commitment in this regard.
Will the Minister of State say if the divisional and central headquarters were informed and were aware in advance that this raid was about to take place?
As I said in the answer, the Commissioner has decided to take a number of steps on foot of the report. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on that.
Is it not true that instructions were given from headquarters to the group who were carrying out this operation locally? Will she clarify that point?
I can only refer the Deputy to the debate on security on 24 January.
I thank the Minister for referring me to that debate. These points were raised locally and were communicated to me but were not covered in that debate. I wish to know when the task force in this area was disbanded?
Again, I can only refer the Deputy to the answer I gave. It is clear that the planning and execution of the operation were not conducted with the level of efficiency to be expected from the Garda Síochána.
Obviously the Minister of State has not that information available at this stage. I should like to point out that the task force was disbanded much earlier in the year and the Minister attempted to mislead the public by suggesting there was a task force that was active and in full training there at that stage.