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

A journalist sent a question to my Department wanting to know generally what I was doing about bugging journalists. I am doing nothing about bugging journalists. I do not bug journalists, but the level of hysteria we have got to is extraordinary. The lack of understanding of the extent to which there is judicial oversight in a number of these areas is extraordinary. I plead with those contributing further to the debate that we have a discussion based on facts, not fiction, based on reality, not hyperbole. It is fair game for the Opposition to try to put a Government Minister, whether me or others, under pressure. On occasion, it is fair game to question people's capacity or the credibility of what they say. It is not fair, however, in playing that game that aspersions are cast on the Garda Síochána in circumstances where there is no evidence for such aspersions to be cast based on the conclusions of GSOC. It is unfair to suggest I have any interest of any description in trying to undermine the work of GSOC. I want to ensure that if things went wrong in this context, including the concern about the leak of information from GSOC, that they are dealt with and addressed. If there are lessons to be learned by either body, GSOC or the Garda Síochána, they should be learned.

At the end we have a judge with absolute credibility and independence - a retired member of the High Court - who will independently express views on these matters. A report will be published in which we can all have faith and rely upon in the context of some of the matters which have been the source of controversy. Following the publication of the report, any action required will be taken and both GSOC and An Garda Síochána can get on with the very important work they must do.

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