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

I have already dealt with the matter relating to the letter. I explained that, as has been explained to me, it arrived on 10 March. It contained information that was relevant to the issue we have been discussing, but there was also information which was primarily focused on particular sets of civil proceedings. I understand that information was the initial focus of any engagement by officials in my Department and that it led to a meeting that took place on 11 March. I was not furnished with the letter. The officials in my Department were dealing with it in the context of the pressures of that litigation and the requirements that court orders of discovery be complied with. That litigation affected the State, the Department of Justice and Equality, An Garda Síochána and involved the Office of the Chief State Solicitor, the Office of the Attorney General and counsel appointed to represent the State. My understanding is there were consultations and engagements along that route. The matter was not discussed with me at that time.

I do not recall whether the Deputy was present when I explained to the House that I spent a large part of the Wednesday morning in question dealing with the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill in the Oireachtas Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. I do not recall at this moment what I was doing on the Wednesday afternoon. I may have had been at some event, but simply do not remember at the moment. The simple position is the letter was not furnished to me.

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