THERE was a genuinely held Garda view that disclosure of the details of the major drugs haul in Urlingford last year could put lives directly at risk, the Minister for Justice said.

Emphasising that the operation was a matter for the Garda, Ms Owen added that it had been standard practice for Ministers for Justice not to get involved directly in day to day operational decisions.

Ms Owen was responding to opposition claims, made in the House on Tuesday, that the Dail had been misled about the operation. The matter was raised on the adjournment yesterday by Mr Phil Hogan (FG, Carlow Kilkenny).

Responding to a speech made on Tuesday by the PD spokeswoman on justice, Ms Liz O'Donnell, the Minister accused her of targeting members of the Government. "She will be disappointed to hear that she has drawn a complete blank."

Taking up one question asked by Ms O'Donnell on Tuesday - "At what level was the importation (of drugs) authorised?" - Ms Owen replied yesterday: "It was an operational decision and did not involve any politicians. The implementation of any Garda operation is a matter which is the responsibility of the relevant senior gardai involved."

Ms Owen later told journalists in Leinster House that she meant that the Urlingford operation was a matter for the Garda and had no political involvement. "I am not going to confirm or deny any operation, because I do not know. I am not confirming any sting."

The Minister said that the impression had been created mostly by Ms O'Donnell - that the drugs were paid for by the Garda, in other words by the taxpayer. This was absolutely without foundation.

Ms Owen said that at the time of the operation - November of last year - neither she nor the Taoiseach, nor any other Minister or Minister of State, knew any of the details of the operation or the planning of it.