Results 1,221-1,240 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (27 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I presume that the Deputy is referring to investigations arising from Garda whistleblower reports. Under the current Confidential Recipient system, such reports are dealt with by the Confidential Recipient and the Garda Commissioner. The only instance where the Confidential Recipient refers a report to me is, under the relevant regulations, where a Garda whistleblower makes a complaint...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Investigations (27 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: An internal review of the correspondence referred to in the question has been conducted at senior management level in my Department. The results of this review, which did not require the use of powers and which has been finalised, enabled me to address many of the issues raised in the debate on this matter in this House yesterday. As the Deputy is aware, following a decision by Government,...

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: That letter was signed by the private secretary to the then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. There might not be time for me to go into a second series of correspondence.

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I will summarise it briefly. It consists of an initial letter from Mr. Lorcan Roche Kelly, an initial response from the Minister's private secretary, a second letter from Mr. Lorcan Roche Kelly complaining that his original issues were not addressed, and a second response from the then Minister's private secretary directing him to take his complaints to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman...

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: As I said, I would have expected a long-standing member of the Garda who had a major interest in this issue and who was invited or advised by one of my departmental officials with whom he was in regular correspondence to give any additional information he had, to so do.

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: Acting Chairman, either I am allowed to reply or the Deputy is allowed to shout at me.

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: If the Deputy wishes to shout at me, I cannot deal with the matter.

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I repeat that Sergeant McCabe was invited to meet with a member of the investigation team on 24 April and he found that invitation alarming. I do not know why that was the case. Common sense would suggest to me that there may be fault on both sides. Common sense suggests that someone who had such a commitment to this issue, knowing an investigation was taking place and having been advised...

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I also do not see how one can describe the individual as having co-operated in circumstances where he was invited to come along to an interview or meeting with a member of the investigation team, having been asked, five months earlier, to provide any further evidence he had.

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I have already addressed the second issue. It is not a matter I will deal with today. In regard to the first issue, I was not present at the meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts to which the Deputy referred. I have not read the transcript and do not know the context in which the Commissioner made his comment.

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: Am I allowed to reply, Acting Chairman?

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I do not know the context of the comment made by the Commissioner. I am conscious that Sergeant McCabe raised serious issues, including in regard to ticket charges. In a number of areas he has been proved correct, and in a number of areas he has been proved incorrect. I also know that he has alleged that a variety of members of An Garda Síochána are corrupt. There has been...

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I am sorry if my answers do not suit Deputy Daly, but this is a very complicated issue. If 13,000 members of An Garda Síochána were engaged in the unauthorised taping of conversations, we would be asking GSOC to investigate the entire force.

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I have acknowledged that this is a very important matter. That is why the Government is amending the legislation brought forward by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, to ensure that whistleblowers are encouraged and protected.

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I also believe it is important that those who make allegations have the evidence to substantiate them. They should not make allegations that are unsubstantiated and they should behave lawfully. I am not going to comment on what the Deputy is putting to me because I do not know the context in which the Commissioner made that comment. I have not read the transcript and I am not a member of...

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I have to hand an e-mail of 23 March 2009 directed by Sergeant McCabe to my predecessor, Mr. Dermot Ahern. It reads as follows:Dear Minister, My name is Maurice McCabe. I am a member of An Garda Síochána with the rank of sergeant. As you are probably aware, I have made a complaint in relation to malpractice and corruption in Bailieborough Garda district, Cavan-Monaghan, and...

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: First, contrary to the manner in which people wish to present it, I have not cast any aspersions or made any comment about anyone's honour. I refer to the statement I issued on the day when Assistant Commissioner O'Mahony's report was published. People choose to cherry-pick the bits that fit the narrative. I do not mean that Deputy Ó Snodaigh is doing that. In that statement I...

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I accept absolutely that Sergeant Maurice McCabe was not interviewed by either Assistant Commissioner O'Mahony or by his team dealing with the issue. I said in the House-----

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: That is not correct.

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I said in the House that I expected that Sergeant McCabe would be engaged with the investigation and I expected that he would be interviewed. I also made reference to a matter on which other Members of the House are taking a different view. In the context of what is referred to as "the direction", he clearly was not directed to engage but he was invited to engage with Assistant Commissioner...