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

I find it extraordinary that information on the tapes has emerged in the way it has. At the highest levels within An Garda Síochána work is necessary to understand fully the extent of the taping and where it took place. I am not clear on the extent to which, if any, information recorded is accessed or used. I am very conscious, not just as Minister for Justice and Equality but as a lawyer, of the serious implications of this in the context of issues that could arise.

Therefore, I find all of this and the manner in which it is being dealt with very "unusual", to use a neutral word.

In regard to destruction, I presume the Deputy refers to the destruction of the tapes that have been found. At this moment in time, I do not believe this is something that should occur. It could result in a miscarriage of justice, where there is information on a tape that might be of relevance to some form of court proceeding. If information emerged on the tapes on other matters, destruction of the tapes could result in that information ceasing to be available. This is an issue in respect of which great care and caution needs to be undertaken.

I believe there is no question of anything being destroyed, until such time as what is contained on these tapes is known and understood and the statutory commission of inquiry has undertaken and completed its work. Subsequently, there may be a view, based on the recommendation of the commission of inquiry, as to how the tapes should be dealt with and what should be done with regard to information on them. I do not want to prejudge that, but there can be no question of their destruction at this time. That would be a serious matter.

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