Perhaps I might ask some very short questions. The Minister referred to these allegations of brutality being investigated by the Garda and members of the Garda being subject to the discipline of their own members. In the light of these allegations does he regard investigation by the Garda as adequate? Despite our regard for the majority of the Garda should there not be independent investigations such as were suggested from these benches during the debate on the emergency powers legislation? The Minister speaks of complaints by persons associated with illegal organisations. Would he define what he means by that because I thought we held in common the belief that people were innocent until proved guilty?

A further point is one which has been made by Deputy Collins. Is the Minister aware that these allegations were repeated on Tuesday to our detriment in every major European newspaper? I do not think that the Minister telling us he does not read newspapers is a valid excuse. I can make available to him copies of The Times and The Guardian, if he so wishes.

Finally, assuming that these allegations are proved to be correct or, at least, given the disquiet that exists, would the Minister not agree now that my personal vote last year with the Opposition against the Emergency Powers Bill was not so eccentric as it might have seemed then despite the more conscious——

This is hardly relevant. We must proceed by way of relevant supplementary questions, devoid of debate.

The first point is that the investigative procedures are fair and complete. They are not confined to internal investigations by the Garda. I have indicated that the courts are available to any person who is aggrieved as a result of treatment alleged to have been received at the hands of the Garda. If that treatment were found to be unlawful the person concerned would find a remedy in the courts. I do not think anyone would suggest that our courts are anything but open and impartial. That is the sort of tribunal that is implicit in the case for a special investigation in respect of the allegations against the Garda. The courts are in public and they are impartial.

I am not responsible for what was published here nor am I responsible for what may have been repeated in the press in the rest of Europe, As for the suggestion regarding statements emanating from illegal organisations, I do not prejudge anything or anybody but those who can wear the cap should do so.

Would the Minister not agree that because of the allegations that are being made, and being made in increasing numbers, the best way and the only way to clear the good name of the Garda would be to have a public inquiry, judicial or otherwise, into the allegations?

Many of the matters which have been the subject of allegations are, as I indicated in my reply, either already sub judice or likely to become sub judice. Consequently a public inquiry would not be appropriate in respect of such matters. I presume the Deputy would hope that a public inquiry would clear the air and establish facts. I see no reason for the pending proceedings not having precisely the same result thereby eliminating the need for any other inquiry.