Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I am somewhat reluctant to deal with the matter in response to this question because to be fair to Deputy Rabbitte he has tabled a priority question specifically on that issue. When this issue first arose in the media, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, which we established as an independent agency, set up a public interest inquiry under section 102 of the 2005 Act that we passed. Section 67 of the 2005 Act is explicit that the investigation of these issues by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is totally independent of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform the Garda Síochána and this House. When the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission decides to have a public interest inquiry it is best to leave it to it so that we do not prejudice anything. Of course people are concerned - I accept that. The Minister for Transport has already indicated his concern in this regard. I have confirmed with the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission today through the Garda Commissioner and people in my Department that the granting of the licence will be part of its examination.

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