Points controversy - Move raises questions

It is not unsurprising that Justice Minister Alan Shatter has intervened in the turf war between the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee and Garda commissioner Martin Callinan.

There is of course the possibility that his intervention might start another turf war — one between his office and the PAC. It is also interesting to speculate about how effective these committees can be if they are subject to ministerial intervention or indeed what might happen if the PAC persists with its investigation despite the minister’s decision.

It would be easier to welcome this intervention if the GSOC had not repeatedly complained about how its investigations are hindered by less than co-operative gardaí of all ranks. Just this weekend a former GSOC member pointed out that the agency is denied access to the Garda Pulse computer system. These are not the circumstances to support a proper investigation. Mr Shatter needs to make another intervention to lift these barriers. Experience suggests that we should wonder whether the intervention is designed to do anything more than protect the PAC’s credibility. But who — or what events — needs that cover?