Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

On the first issue the Deputy mentioned about allegations coming to my attention, it has always been my practice with anonymous allegations, of which I have received many in my 21-year career in this House, if I cannot in some way make inquiries as to their source, to bin them. I particularly instance the issue to which I referred earlier where it was clear that we were not able to stand it up in some shape or form and again that goes to the core of what Mr. Justice Morris stated regarding the issue he had to deal with. By and large I bin them because I cannot be satisfied — I am not even talking about evidence — through just my own feeling as a public representative as to whether they are legitimate allegations. If I were able to stand them up in some shape or form or be satisfied, it would be different. I do not in any way criticise Deputy Howlin or former Deputy, Jim Higgins MEP, for approaching the Minister at that time. I make the point mentioned by Mr. Justice Morris as to how he felt it was necessary for them to go back to their sources before bringing them forward.

Deputy Tuffy spoke about the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission in connection with the Derek O'Toole case. Obviously, I very much regret the death of Derek O'Toole. We are considering legislative proposals to make the running of the commission more efficient. It was accepted by the Government that we change the Garda Síochána Complaints Board. That aspect of the report has not got much mention. It has been replaced after the Government proceeded to introduce the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission which now has five times the staff the Garda Síochána Complaints Board had. We would consider suggestions from the House as to how we might make the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission better.

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