Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

Both Deputy Kenny and I have expressed our surprise that the Nally committee was unable to reach its findings without interviewing the Garda informant at the heart of the affair. Last week the PSNI made clear again that it still wished to interview this man, a Mr. Dixon, a car thief who stole cars on order for the Real IRA and its bombing campaign. According to The Sunday Times, the PSNI also placed his relationship with the Garda in an entirely different light by revealing that he had permitted gardaí to place bugs in the cars he stole for the Real IRA. I do not recall, subject to correction, that information in the Nally report.

Sir Hugh Orde will report to the British Prime Minister and the Garda Commissioner on his findings. In light of the Taoiseach's commitment, which is entirely genuinely held, that his Government would be helpful in all circumstances to the Omagh families, what is his response to the statement by the retiring assistant chief constable of the PSNI, Mr. Sam Kincaid?

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