Results 10,781-10,800 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Morris Tribunal: Statements (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Mr. Justice Hardiman stated: An inquiry into these allegations which did not seek the evidence of the person who made them would be in clear dereliction of its duty. Indeed, if the tribunal cannot ascertain the identity of that person, and approach him, it is hard to know how they can conduct the portion of their inquiry referred to at sub-paragraph (h) of the resolution passed by both...

Morris Tribunal: Statements (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: It was not only reasonable, but essential, that the tribunal, in carrying out its duties as defined by the Houses, should seek the source of Deputies Higgins's and Howlin's accusations.

Morris Tribunal: Statements (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The terms of reference of a tribunal of inquiry are, as we are all aware, matters of considerable importance. Subparagraph (h) of the Morris terms of reference referred exclusively to the information that Deputies Howlin and Higgins had received on 25 June 2000——

Morris Tribunal: Statements (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: ——and that they had made known to the then Minister, Deputy John O'Donoghue. It did not, however, make reference to the fax received by Deputy Higgins on 15 July 2000, which partly contradicted the information previously supplied. The reason is that no other Member of the Oireachtas, including, as far as I know, Deputy Howlin, was made aware of its existence by Deputy Higgins. The net...

Morris Tribunal: Statements (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I appreciate that Deputy Howlin was involved, but it would be a dereliction of my duty and unfair to Mr. Justice Morris and the two gardaí if I did not put the facts on record.

Morris Tribunal: Statements (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy can have his word.

Morris Tribunal: Statements (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I have a duty——

Morris Tribunal: Statements (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: ——to state the facts of the case. I also have a duty to exonerate Mr. Justice Morris and the two gardaí whose reputations were ruined as a result of untrue allegations.

Morris Tribunal: Statements (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am being factual.

Morris Tribunal: Statements (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: It would be a dereliction of my duty were I to do otherwise.

Morris Tribunal: Statements (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Furthermore, Deputy Higgins stood in this House on the day that the resolution was passed and stated he would have no hesitation in appearing before the tribunal and telling all that he knew. However, he only revealed the existence of this second document to the tribunal some ten months later, more than three years after he first received it. Crucially, the document, in its own terms,...

Morris Tribunal: Statements (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: ——and neither the Minister nor any investigators of these matters would be allowed access to them. This is a fairer representation of Mr. Justice Morris's comments. My purpose in making these points is to redress the balance a little in respect of the public debate that has already taken place regarding Mr. Justice Morris's findings. As the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform,...

Morris Tribunal: Statements (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The sixth report made serious findings against a number of members of An Garda Síochána arising from the Barron investigation. It found that a number of persons were unlawfully arrested and detained and that some were mistreated in custody. The tribunal does not accept the evidence to it of several members of An Garda Síochána and strongly condemns the instances of mistreatment it...

Morris Tribunal: Statements (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy is not too impartial himself.

Morris Tribunal: Statements (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I will not.

Morris Tribunal: Statements (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Do we not have the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission? The Deputy should not come to me.

Morris Tribunal: Statements (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The garda could make a complaint.

Morris Tribunal: Statements (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: That is why we set up the commission, so people would not have to come to the Minister.

Morris Tribunal: Statements (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am entitled to make that contribution and the Deputy will not stop me.

Leaders' Questions (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The league of youth.