Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the strength of feeling from all three Deputies, that they are from different constituencies and that they mean what they say. I should be clear that the process is by no means over. There are a number of Garda investigations ongoing and the latest protected disclosures on IFI, which were mostly anonymously made, are still being examined. The Department has to follow due process; there is a set of laws that have to be complied with and all the allegations have to be fully examined.

The Department has a protected disclosures policy and there is an equivalent protected disclosure policy in IFI and they must be respected. I repeat that the veracity of the disclosures has not yet been established pending the outcome of the examinations of these protected disclosures and the persons against whom unverified disclosures have been made are entitled to fairness and due process. There is a presumption of innocence in this country and the Deputies would expect to receive that for themselves and their constituents.

Regarding the appointment of an external person to carry out an investigation, the Minister did appoint a barrister - senior counsel Conleth Bradley - to carry out a review of the board so he appointed somebody externally. That is an appointment by the Minister from outside the relevant agency to carry out a review of the execution and functions of the board. The process of examination is by no means over. It must be carried out in compliance with the law and according to due process. Garda investigations must be allowed to take their course without me making comments that would prejudice them or interfere with them in any way.

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