McDowell denies bill will give him sweeping powers

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell last night rejected claims that a key amendment to the Garda Bill will give him sweeping powers to inspect every garda file.

The Labour Party alleged that one of the 12 major amendments to the bill, all stemming from the Morris Report, would allow the minister such “illiberal powers”.

The amendment addresses the situation that arose in 2001, when the Garda Commissioner refused to provide the full Carty report on the garda siege at Abbeylara to the Government.