Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a witness in a murder case (details supplied) has retracted their statement alleging that their statement was made under duress and at the instigation of the investigating gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29752/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have received correspondence on the matter, a copy of which was made available to the Garda Commissioner.

I have been informed that the Garda Commissioner has directed an assistant commissioner to examine matters raised in the correspondence and to furnish a report on them. I have requested that the Garda authorities inform me of the outcome of the examination. As the Deputy will appreciate, the murder referred to is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 40: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the date on which he was first informed about the serious allegations against gardaí in Ashbourne station; the steps he took following the receipt of this information; when the Commissioner appointed the chief superintendent to investigate the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29701/05]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he was first informed about the serious allegations against gardaí in Ashbourne station; the steps he took following the receipt of this information; when the Commissioner appointed the chief superintendent to investigate the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29934/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 128 together.

I have met some of the principals in my capacity as a Dáil Deputy and arranged for some of them to be met by officials in my Department at a senior level.

I regard the underlying allegations as being of the upmost gravity. They have been conveyed to the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána and he appointed a chief superintendent on 11 May 2005 to investigate the matter further. I urge everyone with information on this matter to co-operate fully with the chief superintendent.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way in which a member of the Garda Síochána was able to obtain and sell Garda uniforms to film and theatre companies for years, and when the Garda became aware of the theft; if any of the uniforms had been obtained by criminals or paramilitaries; the steps in place to prevent such thefts in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29770/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that following a written complaint to the Garda Síochána, an investigation was initiated to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged sale of items of Garda uniforms to film and theatre companies in recent years. A member of the Garda Síochána has been arrested as part of this investigation.

I am further informed that this Garda investigation will also focus on establishing whether or not Garda uniforms have been obtained by criminals or paramilitaries. As this matter is now the subject of an ongoing Garda investigation, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.