Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Mar 1993

Vol. 428 No. 5

Written Answers. - Confidential Garda Síochána Telephone Facility.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

47 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the fact that the IRA cannot sustain its activities without access to money, safe-houses, and locations to dump weapons and explosives, she will provide a confidential telephone line which citizens can use to convey any information which they may have about these matters; if she will give immunity from prosecution to people who come forward with such information; if she will investigate the operation of the public collection system, particularly around Easter time, which may be used by IRA front organisations to collect money to sustain their activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

A dedicated confidential Garda Síochána telephone facility has already been established and has been operational since January, 1992. The facility is available nationwide at 1-800-589-589 and is a free service to members of the public. The availability of this facility is featured in the national and local media. I would urge members of the public who have information on subversive activities of the kind mentioned by the Deputy or on criminal activity of any kind to make use of this service.

I have no function in relation to the bringing of prosecutions. The institution or non-institution of criminal proceedings is a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions who is independent in the exercise of his functions.

With regard to the question of possible abuses in relation to public collections, I have been informed by the Garda authorities that any breaches of the law governing such collections which come to the notice of the gardaí are fully investigated and followed by prosecutions in appropriate cases.