Nothing 'out of control' with Garda

The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism had come to face questions under the tribunal's "explosives module". His evidence though failed to ignite proceedings and he seemed more than happy to keep it that way.

Mr O'Donoghue, a former Minister for Justice, spent much time emphasising the separation of powers within the State and in this case, between his department and the Garda. He did not interfere with the day-to-day operational role of the Garda Commissioner and it would have been "quite wrong" of him to have done so.

While "annoyed" from time to time with Mr Pat Byrne over a failure to communicate information, Mr O'Donoghue said his overall recollection of the former commissioner was that he managed his force "very well and professionally". Whatever about the Donegal division, "I did not believe there was anything out of control at the top of An Garda Síochána".

He said there would have been "deep concern" within the Government if it had been receiving false information from the Garda on explosives finds. The "very reputation of the State" depended upon accurate information as it was being communicated to the British government at inter-Governmental conferences, he said.

As to how the Garda disciplined rogue members, the Minister said it was a matter for the commissioner, not him. He admitted, however, there was a "very strong argument" for the training of Garda management to be reviewed by an outside body.