Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy managed, during the course of those questions, to make a variety of allegations against a variety of people, all of which were incorrect. The first allegation he made was that the Garda Commissioner has sought to rubbish the inquiry into ticket charges. I am not aware that the Commissioner has done that. I am aware that he is taking the matter very seriously and has required that it be fully investigated. In reply to the Deputy, I expect during the course of this month to receive the outcome of that investigation and I intend to publish it. That is the position in that regard.

The Deputy has made an allegation against another member of the force and said that he is trying to retrospectively justify what he refers to as unlawful conduct. I have no information to that effect but if the Deputy has such information, perhaps he will set it out in writing and furnish it to me, telling me on what basis he is making that allegation. It is unfortunate that a Member of this House should use the House to make allegations against individuals who are not in a position to respond.

As the Deputy knows, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is independent and is not dependent on me, as Minister. Any individual can make a complaint to the commission, which will then independently determine whether there is prima facie basis for investigating a complaint and will then determine that an investigation, if appropriate, takes place. I have no hand, act or part in that determination and the Deputy is well aware of that. I cannot comment on what it is reported some UN rapporteur has said, given the manner in which it is quoted by the Deputy. However, in so far as anyone has reached a conclusion that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is not independent, he or she has clearly not read the legislation and does not know the manner in which the commission operates. Clearly, it would be completely inappropriate if I, as Minister, was in a position to interfere in any investigation that it undertakes.

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