Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have dealt with this up-front with Deputies Ó Fearghaíl, Adams and Higgins, as I have done on many occasions already. As somebody who will in due course be called before the Fennelly commission, I will attend both as a citizen and with respect to my responsibilities.

I know the Deputy does not intend any malice. I had a duty and responsibility when the level of revelation was brought to my attention. What was I to do? Would I do nothing, leave it aside when I attended a Cabinet meeting the following morning and not tell anybody I had been appraised of this? Would it not be natural to say that we should find out what has happened and convey concerns about the matter to the Garda Commissioner?

As I stated to Deputy Adams, the process of discovery was under way and all the material relevant to an unsolved murder in Cork and tapings in Garda stations, etc., was being transmitted to the legal team on the Tuesday, although the date was subsequently put back by a few days. I had a duty and responsibility to say I was concerned about the matter, have the former Garda Commissioner appraised of it and hear what action he was taking. That became obvious in the subsequent letter of 10 March. It is not a case of me not making a statement. That was the position. As somebody who will go before the Fennelly commission in due course, I will be happy to attend.

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