I am informed by the Garda authorities that the alleged leak of confidential information would appear to emanate from a newspaper article on 20 January 1999. I understand that there was no official contact between the Garda Síochána and the journalist or publication involved in relation to the information related in the article, which was also known to persons other than members of the Garda Síochána.
I am assured that the investigation into the disappearance of the person to whom the question refers has been comprehensive and extensive. The investigation is still in progress, and all information is fully investigated. Over the course of the investigation, extensive searches have been carried out over a huge area by the investigation team and specialist units. As a result of new information, further searches were carried out recently. The investigating officer is satisfied that, based on the evidence available to date, all areas and lands required to be searched have been subject to comprehensive searching.
Operation Trace continues to attract widespread public interest and all information coming to hand is fully evaluated and acted upon. The operation, by its very nature, is methodical and painstaking but is progressing satisfactorily.
I am also aware that the Garda authorities are in regular contact with members of the family in this case and that they are satisfied that any commitments given by them have been honoured. I have also met and had correspondence with members of the family.
The Garda Síochána has also nominated liaison officers to keep the relatives of missing persons informed of progress, and a juvenile liaison officer is also involved where the missing person is under the age of 18 years.
