Calls for inquiry to look into why Callinan resigned

The Taoiseach is being urged to ensure the phone bugging inquiry examines the resignation of the Garda commissioner as well as the management of correspondence in the Department of Justice.

The Oireachtas justice committee is to write to Enda Kenny and ask that the terms of the commission of investigation include concerns raised by TDs around the tapes scandal.

David Stanton, chairman of the committee, yesterday confirmed that members had requested that Department of Justice secretary general Brian Purcell and Justice Minister Alan Shatter appear in front of it before the group goes on hold.

However, the FIne Gael TD for Cork East said the committee would await the terms of the inquiry into the secret taping of conversations at Garda stations, which are expected to be complete by next week.

“If some issue isn’t covered, the chances are we will look at that issue,” he told the Irish Examiner last night, after the committee’s meeting.

However, Mr Stanton confirmed that a letter would be sent to Mr Kenny outlining requests that three areas be included in the inquiry under Supreme Court Judge Nial Fennelly.

These include, firstly, the substantive issue of the tapes and the recordings that were made at Garda stations and prisons.

Secondly, members want the resignation of Garda commissioner Martin Callinan to also be examined by the probe, including the exact circumstances that led to him stepping down.

Lastly, the committee has asked Mr Kenny to ensure that the management of correspondence at the Department of Justice is also investigated.

This last concern relates to a letter the commissioner wrote to Mr Shatter about the recording of phone calls at Garda stations, but which was not seen by Alan Shatter for two weeks, after the garda chief’s resignation.

“The management of paper and correspondence in justice, what are the procedures, what was the delay in the letter going to minister... in future, these delays shouldn’t happen,” Mr Stanton said.

Independent TD Finian McGrath said he was disappointed that the requests for Mr Shatter and Mr Purcell to appear before the committee had not been agreed.

Niall Collins, justice spokesman for Fianna Fáil, said he would await the terms of the inquiry before deciding what position to take at next week’s committee meeting.