Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Obviously we all abhor what went on in Donegal and accept the recommendations which flowed from the Morris tribunal reports published to date, as well as those that will come from the further two reports. The Deputy must accept that fairly dramatic changes have been made by the House and the Government at the instigation of the recommendations of the reports and that will continue to be the case when the two final reports are published.

With regard to the location, it is on Harcourt Street, in a secure building. Mr. McCarthy is satisfied with the level of security available to him with regard to his modus operandi from that building. He is very conscious, as are the staff assigned, of the issue of confidentiality. Members of the Garda Síochána are all aware of how to contact Mr. McCarthy to give him any information they wish, in strict confidentiality.

I emphasise that the building in question is not accessible by officials from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, other than the four people who are assigned to work with Mr. McCarthy, and neither is it part of any Garda operation nor near any Garda station. I am satisfied with the arrangements and, as I have said, three cases have already come to the notice of Mr. McCarthy. Complaints have been made and he is independently examining them. The Garda Commissioner has nominated eight chief superintendents as confidential recipients and one civilian.

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