Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, the Department of Justice and Equality made extensive disclosure and discovery to the Disclosures Tribunal. It is now a matter for the tribunal to determine. I remind the Deputy of our previous debate on this issue. He will be aware that Mr. Michael Collins SC has conducted an external review of the Department's discovery of documents to the Disclosures Tribunal.  Mr. Collins identified certain shortcomings, particularly arising from the filing of electronic communications. These shortcomings are being addressed.  It is important to note that Mr. Collins found that there was no attempt by the Department to conceal information from the tribunal in any way. He found that my predecessor and departmental officials acted in good faith at all times and believed they were acting reasonably in the manner in which they conducted searches for documentation.  He concluded that in his view, there was no evidence of failure by the Department to comply with disclosure orders. He acknowledged that this is properly a matter for the tribunal itself ultimately to determine.

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