Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I never leak information. If I disclose information it is in full conformity with the Official Secrets Act. One of the functions vested in a Minister is to determine whether to release information in the public interest under that Act. I am accountable to Dáil Éireann for the way I carry out my duties and perform my functions. I emphasise that I do not leak information.

The Senator's amendment raises an important point. Pointing the finger at the Minister is completely off-target but there is a habit of providing information on criminals to some people in the media. However, I assure the Senator it never comes from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I do not know from where it comes or wish to point a finger at somebody else but there seems to be a regular pattern whereby petty information about prisoners appears in the public domain.