Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)

I have two quick comments and a question. I have serious concern about our interaction earlier about Evan Fitzgerald. I have serious concern that he was engaged with by An Garda Síochána, that he was met by undercover members of An Garda Síochána, that guns and ammunition were taken from headquarters and delivered to him, that he was arrested, that An Garda Síochána agreed to his bail and that, subsequently, he killed himself. I have serious concerns in relation to all of that. I also have serious concern in relation to the log and this type of holster Detective Garda Horkan had because it was not on the continuity log in the property and exhibits management system, PEMS. That is not how it should be.

The picture I am holding has been out in the media for quite a bit. It shows where guns and ammunition were stored. The picture has been out now for the guts of three or four months. It is amazing the way they were stored. Why, in the past 24 hours, have the guns and ammunition in this container been wrapped up, taken out of storage and sent away to be destroyed at a cost of approximately €160,000? That is my first question.

The second question, which is to the Commissioner, is in relation to section 41. There was publicity about a certain gun that was brought in a number of years ago and found to be back on the streets again in 2023. Obviously, this gun was used by hardened criminals, yet it ended up back on the street again. In July 2023, the Commissioner was informed of this. Under section 41 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Commissioner has to inform the Minister of serious issues. It took him until April 2024 to inform the Minister. Why did it take eight months?

My final question relates to section 41 and the 17,000 live scan fingerprints. For those watching and for the members here, live scan fingerprints are fingerprints that are taken from individuals for various reasons. These live scan fingerprints were lost in July 2021. Why was this not raised with the Minister under section 41? Remember, I have asked the Minister this question. Why was this not raised under section 41? These 17,000 sets of fingerprints could, or could not, be helpful in cases in the future, as the Commissioner will appreciate. Why was this not raised with the Minister under section 41?