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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Garda information and Minister accountability

Summary

Senator Daly calls for the Attorney General and Minister Shatter to address the alleged misuse and circulation of Garda information, then seeks a separate debate on Ireland’s corporate tax arrangements.

I ask that the Attorney General attend the Seanad, under Standing Order 56, so that we can get her views on the abuse of privilege and information on the part of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter. The Garda Commissioner also has questions to answer in respect of the information supplied, who gave him that information and the chain of supply of information. The behaviour of the Minister is a worrying development. People who have made accusations against the Garda, including public representatives who have done so in the public interest, are being targeted by the Garda and the Minister. In doing this, the Minister is sending out a signal to everybody, saying, "I can do this to you also". That is basically what he is doing.

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That is a joke.

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It is nonsense, just nonsense.

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The Minister, Deputy Shatter, is a very intelligent man-----

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Paddy Burke An Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

Is the Senator supporting the call for a debate?

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This was no slip of the tongue, he did it with a purpose and we all know that.

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Paddy Burke An Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

Is the Senator supporting the call for a debate?

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I support the amendment to the Order of Business.

I also ask the Leader to organise a debate on the corporation tax issue. Yesterday in the United States there was a very disturbing committee hearing on Apple and its tax affairs, and last week, in the House of Commons, there was a debate on the tax affairs of Google, with reference to Ireland. The British Parliament wants to have a spotlight focused on Ireland. I bring to the attention of colleagues the fact that $4 trillion is held in British offshore territories. Therefore, when other parliaments are discussing Ireland and its tax affairs we must recognise that our near neighbour, which is trying to focus on us, has more money in tax havens within its jurisdiction than any other country on the planet. When we have the debate we might take that into account.

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