Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 September 2016
65. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has received from An Garda Síochána a report written by a senior Garda official which outlines significant developments relating to the treatment of a person (details supplied); her views on whether the contents of the report might affect public confidence in the force; and if she will publish the report. [28012/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume that the Deputy is referring to media reports claiming that a senior Garda Official had written a report for my attention on matters relating to a Garda whistleblower.
In the first instance, I must point out that the preparation of reports under section 41 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and, accordingly, the question of my receiving such a report from anyone other than the Garda Commissioner or Acting Garda Commissioner does not arise.
However, it is the case that towards the end of August the then Acting Garda Commissioner, under section 41 of the Act, sent to the Department a copy of a note prepared by the Garda Síochána Executive Director Human Resources and People Development.
Taking into account legal issues, the right of confidentiality which must be afforded to persons named within, and, as there is ongoing correspondence between the Department and the Garda authorities about this matter (including receipt in a recent days of a related further report) it is not possible to put any further information into the public domain at present.
