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

I will take the Deputy's questions in the order he raised them. I can absolutely assure him that I did not leak the inspectorate's report. A query came into the Department of Justice and Equality from a well known journalist who clearly had substantial knowledge of what was in it. I was asked would I do an interview and I explained I could not do an interview on the substance of the detail of the report because the following day it was being brought to Cabinet and then it was to be laid before the House and I agreed simply to make some general comments. I give the Deputy my absolute assurance that I did not leak it and the individual who was responsible for the report would know I did not leak it. As to where it came form, I cannot answer that. We all know in political life that stuff emerges and it is a mystery, on occasions, how it does. I did not leak it; I had no intention of leaking it. It was my intention to bring the matter into Cabinet, brief colleagues on it and do what we ultimately did, which was later that day to lay it before both Houses. That is basically what happened in relation to that issue.

In relation to the Garda Inspectorate, one of the issues that arises is that the Garda Inspectorate is independent. I have met with GSOC which is also independent in the circumstances of seeking to resolve issues of difficulty that arose between GSOC and An Garda Síochána. In the context of the Garda Inspectorate, there have been some very important issues with which it has been dealing, and it is important it deals with them independently, including the fixed ticket charge issue. It is correct to say that I have not personally met Mr. Olsen. I am looking forward and hoping to do that at a time when I will not be open to a charge in this House that if I had met him I was in some way trying to impact on his independence or subvert him. I am conscious of the brouhaha that arose when I asked - not demanded or insisted - the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission to brief me on the other issue and it requested to brief me because matters had appeared in the newspapers and if I had not had a briefing the next thing is that I would have been criticised in this House for knowing nothing about the issue. I have not personally met him. I know that in relation to the issues where he sought information, it had been furnished to him by departmental officials in my Department. It is not out of any disrespect for him that I have not met him. It is out of respect for the independence of the inspectorate and some issues it is dealing with. I am very conscious at this moment that it is about to embark on the review that is to take place similar to the Haddington Road agreement. The last thing I want is any of the Garda associations being of the view that I am trying to influence unfairly the outcome of that. I hope the Deputy understands there are issues there of relevance.

On the final issue the Deputy raised, there was a TLAC-style competition with regard to the vacant posts he mentioned in An Garda Síochána. The outgoing Commissioner was one member of the group. The outgoing Commissioner has given great service to this State.

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