Mr. Martin Callinan:

I thank the Deputy. There are two separate and distinct entities. I have answered, I hope fulsomely, questions about the particular investigation that was conducted by the GSOC. I have also indicated to the committee that I intend to respond fulsomely to the Minister regarding that report. I certainly did not rubbish the report but that does not mean to say I have a contrary view as to the way matters should be handled. It is extremely important to the citizens of this State when we are dealing with intelligence and the product that flows from individuals who are providing that type of intelligence that guarantees are available to the people who provide information in the first instance because, if not, we all know what are the consequences and we have witnessed over the past 48 hours the level of violence and difficulty we face on a daily basis out there.

It is certainly the case in regard to the GSOC inquiry that the commission's file was sent to the DPP, an independent statutory body set up to adjudicate on wrongdoing and criminality. We know the answer in regard to that. The members of the commission have indicated that they are not pursuing the issue of discipline and, therefore, they moved towards the position we now find ourselves in with me responding to basically what are in essence allegations that we somehow or other prevented them from doing their business much more quickly than they did. That is in essence where we are when one breaks it all down. I have a difference of opinion in that context but I assure the Deputy - I have said this already and I do not mind going back on the record - that I absolutely subscribe to the view that the GSOC is a body with statutory powers that is entitled to see all the information and intelligence we have, sensitive and otherwise. I have made this clear to the chairman of the commission on many occasions. The issue is not whether the commission should or should not see the documentation; it is how that information is handled in the context of its responsibilities. I have huge responsibilities in this area, as I am sure the Deputy appreciates. I also have the reputation of An Garda Síochána to defend and uphold in the context of the other security services that we engage with both in Europe and beyond. There are strict rules of engagement applying to the release of information and documents that are passed on from one jurisdiction to another and I must be careful how I approach these issues.

There is no dispute with us there but I am not rubbishing the report. The negotiations and the differences of opinion that we had as to how we should transact our business in this sensitive area were somewhat protracted. There is no issue there but, equally, there is no issue that whatever needed to be shared was shared. The commission has a view that it should been shared much earlier and so on but it would not serve the public for me to be involved in a spat with another statutory agency. My clear view in public and private has been that An Garda Síochána must assist the GSOC with its inquiries and investigations. My colleagues are well aware of my views on this matter.