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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 2003

Vol. 571 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Confidentiality.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

1146 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of cases of Garda bribery from journalists he has seen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20048/03]

The vast majority of members of an Garda Síochána perform their duties to the highest standards. However, as in any organisation, a small group can abuse the trust placed in them.

It is important that no matter how infrequent the incidence of disclosure of confidential information by individual members of the Garda Síochána, the law must be visibly adequate to the task of deterring or, where it occurs, dealing with such behaviour, especially given the highly confidential and intimate nature of the information held by the Force on victims of crime and others.

For that reason I included in the general scheme of the Garda Síochána Bill, 2003, a provision on the prevention of the unauthorised disclosure of confidential information from within the force. In making this proposal, I have made clear that it is not intended in any way to interfere with normal and proper relations between the Force and the media. In publishing the general scheme, in advance of the finalisation of the Bill itself, my aim was and is to facilitate public debate and consultation on its provisions. The note included in the draft scheme of the Bill at head 26 specifically states that the precise scope of the provision and, in particular, whether there is a need to provide for exemptions, will be considered further during the drafting stage of the Bill. I will give careful, fair and open-minded consideration to any comments or suggestions on the general scheme, including the provision on the disclosure of information.

Question No. 1147 answered with Question No. 1090.

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