John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will move on but stay in the realm of discretion. Last week the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission issued a report with regard to information as it related to a convicted drug dealer and the dealings of An Garda Síochána in garnering information from that individual. I have a general question to begin with. What are the rules for dealing with people who give information? Do we have a blanket ban, for example, on handing over money? What are the rules with regard to prosecution when it comes to someone giving information? Does the Commissioner have concerns that giving someone free rein in exchange for information is potentially very dangerous? I ask the Commissioner to give the committee his thoughts on the report and the circumstances surrounding it.