Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I reject the Deputy's story. The position is that very serious matters were brought to the attention of the public and the Government following the revelations by the whistleblowers. The Guerin report was commissioned, following whcih the Government decided to set up a commission of investigation. The correspondence to which the Deputy referred has been very clear and consistent. The material published by my Department yesterday indicated all of the correspondence from the former Minister for Justice and Equality and the replies. These replies were clear and consistent in stating the matter was of sufficient serious public concern that the commission of investigation, in accepting the recommendations made by Mr. Guerin on its terms of reference, should be able to investigate how the matters brought to the attention of the public by the whistleblowers had been handled by the Department of Justice and Equality, the Garda and the former Minister. The Government agreed to these terms of reference and brought forward proposals for the establishment of the commission of investigation. I signed the order setting up the commission of investigation, to be conducted under Mr. Justice O'Higgins, after yesterday's Cabinet meeting. In answer to the Deputy's question, I have published all of the documentation, including the letters sent to the Department of the Taoiseach and the replies to the legal firm involved.

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