Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Mr. Callinan might be able to offer some insight on a matter which, although it does not strictly come under the Garda Vote, would nevertheless be of interest to the public. Each year, under Vote 15, an allocation is made for the secret service. Last year, for instance, the payment through that account was €515,000, while the Estimate for this year gives a figure of €1 million. We all know that what goes through that account is, by definition, confidential. It is the standard discussion we have every time it is discussed in the Estimates, and I accept that Mr. Callinan cannot tell us any of the details of what is involved. Moreover, I support the Garda's intelligence processes and whatever must be done in the interests of protecting the citizens of this State. I am coming at the issue from that perspective.

I am wondering, however, whether Mr. Callinan has any jurisdiction in respect of the secret service account and the €515,000 that was spent last year, which is a matter of public record. I accept he has no Accounting Officer role in this regard; I assume that comes under the remit of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.