Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach has not given us much clarity on anything. I accept there are data protection issues at play. I also accept that the Data Protection Commission and GSOC will have to undertake serious investigations and there are wider issues concerning a citizen of the State, in this case, Deputy Cowen, but there is a process by which anyone gets information and it takes time. The Taoiseach never answered the question on whether it is an actual printout of a PULSE file. Is there information about An Garda Síochána being made available to Ministers? These are serious questions about precedent and the Taoiseach has not answered any of them.

The Taoiseach was aware that there were issues around this situation and about what happened with the former Minister, Deputy Cowen. He was aware of this on 3 July. Nothing changed in relation to the Taoiseach's information. Am I to understand that the Taoiseach was happy that Deputy Cowen did not address it when he made his statement but was not happy yesterday evening? No information has been given on what changed the Taoiseach's mind and that is the crux of the issue.

I have raised a whole range of questions here which have a broader consequence for An Garda Síochána, the administration of justice and the protection of Garda personnel in the performance of their duty. Where the hell is the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy McEntee, in all of this? She has been tweeting about greenways. There are serious issues at the heart of An Garda Síochána and-----

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