Line drawn under stream of Garda controversies in Dáil

THERE was a strange feeling around the Dáil yesterday when, for the first time in what seems like an eternity, proceedings were not dominated by questions surrounding Justice Minister Alan Shatter or other issues relating to the Garda.

It was an early sign that the publication of the terms of reference of an inquiry into phone recordings at Garda stations will be enough to draw a line under the stream of controversies for now.

Ahead of their unveiling, the Government had billed the terms of reference as “comprehensive” and few could argue with this description.