Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Nor is there a basis for implying that the Minister had any conversation of any nature with the confidential recipient concerning the expressions of views by him. To suggest otherwise would be completely false. Now, the Minister has no access to, nor should he have, details of confidential conversations which take place between the confidential recipient and members of the Garda Síochána. That would completely defy the purpose of the statutory instrument in appointing a person for the receipt of confidential information in the first place.

As I said to Deputy Martin in the beginning, I regard this as a matter of fundamental importance. There is clearly a matter of public concern that needs to be dealt with here. Yes, I did speak with the Minister for Justice and Equality and I have asked the Department of Justice and Equality to give me a report on this incident, on the conversations as published and comments from the person concerned here. I await that.

The position is that, I think it is important that we should know whether a conversation of the nature reported took place, because it is absolutely important that there be confidence among the public in any confidential recipient. Why would anybody go to somebody if he or she does not have a trust or belief that the situation is above board? So, this is a matter of grave concern to me.

I think it is also important that no member of the force should feel in any way under pressure or under threat in his or her dealings with the confidential recipient, but that it would be a matter for the confidential recipient to consider whether there is a matter that should be addressed in allegations made by a member of the force. That was the purpose of setting up the confidential recipient in the first place.

So, as I said, separate from this the Minister has already said he is not happy with this arrangement and the way it is operated. For me, I have asked the Department of Justice and Equality to furnish me with a report on these transcripts, whether they took place or not, and comments from the person concerned. I regard that as being a matter of considerable public importance and we will deal with it.

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