Statement by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, on Tuesday, May 4th, 1999.I wish to clarify some misunderstandings for which I accept responsibility as to the manner in which I was to make public the fact that I had made, in July 1998, an enquiry at the behest of Mr Sheedy's father regarding the possibility of Philip Sheedy's day release.
The enquiry was answered in the negative by the Department of Justice and not further pursued by me, and had no connection with the subsequent handling of the case by members of the judiciary.
I was reminded of this enquiry to the Department of Justice by my private secretary on April 12th. I informed the Tanaiste on April 14th and my Cabinet colleagues on April 16th.
In my discussions with the Tanaiste, Mary Harney TD, we agreed that the fact of my representations in this case needed to be made public. It was agreed that this would be done in the Dail last week when I was answering questions on this case relating to the Office of the Chief State Solicitor and its dealings with the DPP.
I accept that I was at fault in not finding some way of informing the Dail of my representations. I will be dealing further with this in the Dail tomorrow (Wednesday).
In the meantime, I have expressed my regrets personally to the Tanaiste.