asked the Minister for the Environment whether an investigation is being conducted into the publication of confidential Cabinet papers in a report (details supplied); and the results of any such investigation to date.
Ceisteanna — Questions Oral Answers. - Publication of Confidential Cabinet Papers.
58.
My Department carried out an immediate internal investigation into the publication of confidential information in the media report concerned. On the basis of this investigation, the Department were satisfied that the various procedures for protection of the confidentiality of the information had been observed in this instance. The Commissioner of the Garda Síochána was then requested, in accordance with normal procedure, to investigate the matter further. I understand that this investigation is in hand.
Would the Minister agree that it is bizarre and unprecedented that Aspect magazine should publish not simply one Cabinet paper but a series of Cabinet papers which show an exchange of memoranda between the Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Finance with regard to the imposition of a nationwide property tax? Could the Minister indicate whether the Garda investigations are being conducted not only into the Department of the Environment but also into the Department of Finance? Could he indicate which other Cabinet colleagues are being investigated? Are the two Ministers, other than himself and the Minister for Finance, who are named in this magazine also being interviewed by the Garda?
I am not in a position to know how the Garda carry out such investigations. If the Deputy had a better and fuller understanding of Cabinet procedures he would not have made some of the allegations he made outside the House about Cabinet rows mentioned in the memoranda. It is not for me to give Deputy Shatter a lesson in what happens around the Cabinet table but he might do well to ask some of his colleagues. It is not accurate to say there was a Cabinet row. All I am telling the Deputy is that the document found its way into the hands of a particular magazine and I am not satisfied with the way it got there. Consequently, the Garda are investigating this matter.
Would the Minister confirm that it is not a question of a document finding its way into the hands of a magazine but a series of documents? It is unprecedented that detailed documention of this nature relating to the imposition of a new nationwide tax would fall into the hands of a magazine or any other publication. Can the Minister tell the House if any of his colleagues are subject to the investigation being conducted, and when he anticipates that investigation will be concluded?
As I said, I do not know how the Garda deal with these matters. However, the leaked memoranda simply reflected the outcome of initial routine consultation with the Department of Finance and, by extension as the article stated, the Revenue Commissioners and the Valuation Office, of a particular reform option. That is standard procedure followed before any proposals are formally submitted to Government. Any suggestion regarding the attitude of any individual Ministers or whether their Departments were consulted cannot be accepted as having any basis in the context of the contents of a particular memorandum. I should not have to say that to a front bench spokesman of a large political party but I am telling him that is the procedure and he has to take it as such.
Would the Minister——
The Chair has an obligation to try to dispose of the remaining Priority Questions in the prescribed time — before 3.45 p.m.
A brief question please.
No one Deputy can arrogate to himself the time provided for Priority Questions.
Would the Minister not agree that the detail of the memoranda which appeared in the media go way beyond the consideration of the introduction of a tax? For such details to have been discussed and swapped within Cabinet papers means an agreement has been made in principle by this Government to levy a property tax. Will the Minister confirm that is the case?
I will not. I will not repeat what is regarded as standard Cabinet procedure as far as memoranda are concerned before they are submitted to Government. Can the Deputy not accept that is the procedure adopted? I refer the Deputy to some of his more senior colleagues who will explain that to him in greater depth.
It is not standard procedure.