Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The chair of the commission expressed concerns about the fact that a leak had occurred and has a genuine and understandable concern that this is a very serious issue for GSOC. GSOC is conducting an internal investigation into this. It is my understanding that it has also sought legal advice. I know no more about that aspect of matters than members of the committee in the context of where that issue stood this day last week. I do not have a more recent report from GSOC on that matter.

I do not want to interfere in any way. It would not be appropriate that I would. GSOC is an independent investigative agency. I assume that, if it has any difficulty in investigating the matter and dealing with it, I will be so advised.

There has been a lot of comment about why should GSOC report to the Minister for Justice and Equality when it is an independent agency. It is an independent agency but, under the statutory provisions enacted in 2005, it has reporting obligations to the Minister for Justice and Equality. I would expect that, if it strikes a difficulty in this area, it is not for me as Minister or my officials to investigate this matter, but if it has a difficulty, I expect that it will report on that to me. It may inform this committee - I do not know. I do not know any more about where that investigation is than I did seven days ago.