Vol. 459 No. 8
55 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Justice the discussions, if any, she had with the Garda Commissioner prior to his declining an invitation to attend before the Select Committee on the Family in July 1995; if she advised him not to attend the meeting or if she influenced his decision in any way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18936/95]
I dealt with this matter in detail in my response on 3 October 1995, to a parliamentary question tabled by the Deputy (Volume 456, no. 3, cols 627-629). As I stated at that time, the matters raised by the invitation extended to the Commissioner were discussed between the Commissioner and myself in July 1995, and he outlined to me at that time his dilemma regarding the role of the Commissioner and his anxiety to fulfil that role as well as co-operate with the committee. I do not see any need to add to this, beyond saying, for the avoidance of any doubt in the matter, that I certainly did not advise him to refuse the invitation in question. It should be noted that Superintendent John McGroarty subsequently made a lengthy submission on drugs to the committee.
