Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Howlin for his question and for his party's submission in this regard. One of the reasons the Government did not sign off finally yesterday in respect of a root and branch reform of the structure and future policing operations of An Garda Síochána is that, as I informed the House yesterday, I received the final report of the Fennelly commission last Friday at 6 p.m.

I am duty-bound by law to refer that report to the Attorney General, and I intend to publish that report as soon as the Attorney General informs me that it is in order to do so. The reason that it has to go to the Attorney General is as to whether a question arises that there might be implications in respect of any pending case, legal or whatever. I hope that can apply this week, and it would be wrong of me to come into the House, or for the Tánaiste to come into the House, and say that we are now signing off on all of the issues in respect of future structures for the Garda Síochána, policing arrangements and so on without taking into account the potential impact of the recommendations that are contained in the final report of the Fennelly commission.

The Tánaiste has undertaken to talk to the Opposition Members and spokespersons on justice so that the Oireachtas can have a complete view on this, and that is why I say that, when I receive authorisation to publish Fennelly in its final entity, everybody should have an opportunity to read that and see whether people have views as to how that impacts on the-----

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