Mr. Noel Waters:

As I have already indicated in evidence, the information that came to light in 2015 did so in the context of an email from Mr. Ruane. I cannot speak for what went before me but it is absolutely not the case that, in my tenure, it was a case of "hear no evil, see no evil". In my tenure in the Department, we have taken action immediately on foot of this. We have recognised the seriousness of it and we are following it through. The Tánaiste referred it to the Policing Authority, which is following up on it. I cannot answer for what happened before that. I indicated that the then Commissioner brought this to the attention of the then Secretary General at a meeting, at which he says I was present. I have no recollection of that meeting however, and we have no records of it at all in the Department.