When the Garda started taking short cuts we were all in trouble, contended Mr Maurice Manning (FG), who complained about the media being alerted to the presence of a man in Harcourt Terrace Garda station, Dublin, last Thursday.
An individual had been questioned, arrested and later released without charge from Harcourt Terrace Garda station, he said.
"But while he was in custody, while he was being questioned, the police phoned every newspaper office in Dublin and RTE informing them that this person was being kept there.
"His name was around the town very quickly . . . This man has not been charged with anything. It is a constitutional right that a person is entitled to their good name and character. This isn't the first time that happened."
Mr Manning asked the Cathaoirleach for advice on how to raise the matter appropriately. He wanted the Minister for Justice to come into the House.
This kind of thing had happened in the case of the Hanahoe firm when the State had been obliged to pay out a justifiable sum of money.
Mr Manning said he wanted to voice great concern at what was happening, because when the Garda started taking short-cuts we were all in trouble.
He was sure the Minister would be as disquieted as he was.
The leader of the House, Mr Donie Cassidy, undertook to convey Mr Manning's concern to the Minister.