Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 515: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if information (detail supplied) is accurate. [9166/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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All people with information regarding the commission of an offence are encouraged to provide this information to the Garda Síochána. To facilitate this, the Garda authorities have introduced policy and practices which reflect best international practice for the management and use of intelligence sources. The Deputy will appreciate that it is not the practice and it would be contrary to the public interest to comment on the specifics of the operation of the arrangements for managing intelligence sources. To do otherwise could potentially adversely affect ongoing and future Garda operations. I can confirm, however, that in dealing with persons who willingly assist the Garda Síochána in the investigation of criminal activity, the Garda authorities operate strictly within the parameters of the law. In this regard, where an offence is disclosed, every person without exception is subject to investigation, and it is then a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions to decide whether proceedings should be commenced.