Enda Kenny denies sacking garda commissioner

Taoiseach Enda Kenny was again forced to deny sacking former Garda commissioner Martin Callinan as Fianna Fáil tabled a Dáil motion of no confidence in embattled Justice Minister Alan Shatter.

With the political storm showing little sign of easing, Mr Kenny defended his actions after Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin accused him of “gagging” Mr Callinan to protect Mr Shatter.

The Taoiseach said he only had the power to dismiss ministers, and that he had sent the senior civil servant from the Department of Justice to visit Mr Callinan at home on Monday night, not to tell him to resign, but to convey to him the Government’s concern at the garda telephone taping controversy.

“The only people I can dismiss from office are ministers, with the consent of Government, or ministers of state,” said Mr Kenny. “The Garda Commissioner made his own decision.”

Mr Martin said Fianna Fáil would move the no confidence vote next week because Mr Kenny had put personal loyalty ahead of the national interest.

Meanwhile, Mr Kenny said he agreed with Fianna Fáil’s Willie O’Dea who said it would be “unthinkable” if the gates of the country’s jails were opened as a result of prisoners’ conversations being recorded while in custody.

Garda Representative Association president John Parker said gardaí working in control rooms — which deal with emergency calls — and public offices, know that phone calls are recorded: “Members operating control rooms and public office areas where it [the recording] is installed have been informed of it, that calls are recorded.”

However, he said the GRA was seeking assurances from Garda management that no improper recording of phone calls, outside control rooms and public offices, took place.