Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I can only answer for my own tenure in office. The Deputy will know that when he has brought other issues to my attention, I have always given him a fair hearing and we have tried to get to the bottom of issues about which the Deputy has concerns. I would have taken the same approach had he expressed significant concerns about this case. The first I knew of this case was what I read in the media. Since reading those reports, I have asked for a full and comprehensive review to be carried out quickly by the Department and we will draw conclusions from that review. If further investigation is required as a result of the review, we will consider it.

The SIU is an integral part of my Department and it has a very difficult job. The unit deals with the most difficult cases and it is expected to get to the bottom of those cases. This case was such a case. I accept absolutely what the judge said at the end of the court case. So far as I am concerned this case is concluded and the individual against whom the Director of Public Prosecutions took a case is completely absolved of any wrongdoing. That is the judgment. However, it is my task to examine how the role of the SIU and my Department functioned in this case. If that role was inappropriate or unacceptable, I need to deal with the consequences. It would be very wrong of me to draw conclusions before a review takes place.

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