Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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Question 479: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Office of the Garda Síochána Confidential Recipient expired on 1 February 2011; the reason it was not made public, in view of the attention on Garda behaviour with regard to policing in Rossport, County Mayo; the position regarding the serious information which was in the possession of this office; and the facility that now exists to protect Garda whistleblowers. [9773/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The confidential reporting system under the Garda Síochána (Confidential Reporting of Corruption or Malpractice) Regulations 2007 commenced operation in June 2008, and the system is continuing to operate. The Garda Commissioner has issued a Confidential Reporting Charter to all sworn members and civilian staff of An Garda Síochána. The Charter contains the contact details of the Confidential Recipients to whom confidential reports may be made.

The term of office of the external Confidential Recipient, Mr. Brian McCarthy, expired on 28th February 2011. A follow-on appointment has yet to be made and this delay was mainly due to the interregnum which occurred due to the change of Government. Under the regulations, certain officeholders and associations must be consulted before any further appointment can be made and it is my intention to appoint an external confidential recipient in the very near future.

It should be pointed out that internal confidential recipients, appointed by the Garda Commissioner, are still available to any Garda who is aware of corruption or malpractice. In relation to the most recent incident at the Corrib protest, this matter is being investigated by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. Finally, with regard to the wider issue of whistleblowing generally, the Government has committed to introducing new legislation in this regard.