asked the Minister for Justice if he has received a request from the Donegal County Council asking for a public inquiry into circumstances of and background to a recent court case which levied malicious damages on the general Fanad area; if he is aware of the unanimous demand by the members of the County Council seeking such a public inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I did receive such a request. My reply was to the effect that what is involved here is a specific criminal offence and that, of course, a specific criminal offence can be investigated and dealt with only on the normal basis, that is to say, by Garda inquiries and, if sufficient evidence is forthcoming, by bringing a prosecution.

I have been informed by the Garda Síochána that they have been advised by the law officers that the evidence available to them would not justify criminal proceedings against anybody.