asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the serious allegations that a breach of security from within the ranks of the Garda Síochána led to the murder of Lord Justice Gibson and his wife; if he is now in a position to refute these allegations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Private Notice Questions. - Garda Síochána Security Breach Allegations.
andMiss Harney asked the Minister for Justice if he will refute the wholy unsubstantiated allegations that a security leak from the Garda led to Saturday's Border bombing that killed Lord Justice Gibson and his wife; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
asked the Minister for Justice if he has considered the allegations made in relation to the internal security of the Garda Síochána pertaining to the assassination of Lord Justice Gibson and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take these questions together. At the outset, I would like to say that I know I reflect the views of all Members of this House when I express my horror and condemnation of last Saturday's atrocity.
Allegations of a leak to the IRA from within the ranks of the Garda Síochána, by those who could have no evidence to support them, are regrettable for several reasons, one of them being that they play directly into the hands of those, like the IRA who would wish to reduce the level of security co-operation between the two police forces.
It is now public knowledge that the travel arrangements of the late judge and his wife were known to many people and the criticism of the Garda Síochána can be seen by everybody to have been made even more rashly than was apparent at the beginning.
Nobody, of course, can fully disprove an allegation of this kind unless the people actually responsible are detected. What is quite clear, as I have said, is that the allegations were made without a shred of evidence. Accordingly the least that can be said about them is that they reflect seriously on the judgment of those who made them.
Would the Minister confirm that Lord Justice Gibson actually made the bookings on the ferry in his own name and gave full details of the type and registration number of the car he was using and, further, would the Minister agree that it is normal and good policing practice for security reasons that radio silence be maintained whilst VIPs are being escorted?
First of all, I am satisfied that all the proper security arrangements were made by the Garda Síochána and I confirm the booking was made in the manner outlined by the Deputy.
Does the Minister feel there is a need to review existing arrangements for escorting VIPs after what happened, unfortunately, the other day?
This matter is one of a number of security matters which are always kept under review and there are always improvements which can be made. Specifically, what I am saying is that on this occasion the Garda Síochána discharged their obligations made at the request of the security forces in Northern Ireland to the full in regard to the protection of Lord Justice Gibson and his wife from their arrival at Dún Laoghaire to their departure from our jurisdiction.
Has the Minister had the opportunity to voice his concern in relation to the outrageous allegations which were made about the Garda Síochána to his counterpart in the British Government?
My colleague, the Minister for Justice, and I both had opportunities on Saturday and Sunday to make statements on the radio and television and in the newspapers to express what I have just said. I know that the North of Ireland Secretary is also aware of the facts in the matter and that the British appraisal of the situation is exactly the same as ours.
Has any view been obtained from the British Government as to the reasons for the lack of security with regard to the late Lord Justice's car for a considerable distance in Northern Ireland?
That aspect is being investigated by the British authorities and when they have concluded their investigations I am sure that we will be appraised of their conclusions.
Is the Minister satisfied that communications about matters of this kind between the Garda Síochána and the RUC are not capable of being overheard by anybody who is not entitled to hear them.
We are into the realm of speculation now. It is hoped that whatever investigations are being undertaken by the security authorities in Britain and Northern Ireland will eventuate in some conclusions that might throw up an answer or a possible approach to the matter just raised by the Deputy.
Does the Minister agree that this is a possibility as to how this information might have got out without anyone wishing it to, not just in relation to this matter but in relation possibly to other matters? Could steps be taken to ensure that such communications cannot be overheard, whether they are by radio or telephone?
I am not conducting an investigation in this House but there was an open booking made with regard to the travel arrangements in Belfast. From there on the tragic eventuation developed. Of course, anything is possible, as the Deputy is well aware. I hope, however, that the investigation being undertaken by the British and Northern Ireland authorities and by our own authorities who have co-operated, although we are not directly involved, will yield some information that could be helpful to improve security co-operation on the ground.
A very brief question from Deputy Barrett.
With your permission, A Cheann Comhairle, the Minister did not answer my question to him if he agreed that it was normal and good policing practice that radio silence be maintained while VIPs are being escorted, for security reasons. I asked the Minister that question because play has been made of the fact that there was radio silence between the car escorting Lord Justice Gibson and his wife and the Garda escort. My understanding is that that is normal practice. I feel that we owe it to the Garda Síochána that that should be stated quite clearly. I would ask the Minister to state that it is normal practice that radio silence be maintained in such cases and that the sources that are suggesting that because this took place this could in some way have led to the unfortunate murder of the late Lord Justice Gibson——
The Deputy can be absolutely assured that radio silence was maintained at all stages as far as the Garda Síochána security personnel were concerned. That is, as the Deputy mentions, a matter of the utmost priority in a case of this kind.
That disposes of questions for today.