Govt criticised over garda protected disclosures handling

Labour TD Alan Kelly has told the Dáil that the Government is in "very dangerous and potentially fatal" territory in relation to its handling of protected disclosures from within the gardaí.

He said that both the Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan and his predecessor, Helen McEntee, had admitted in the house yesterday that they had acted without legal authority in their handling of the protected disclosure made by Detective Superintendent Brian O'Reilly.

Mr Kelly said that once the Office of Protected Disclosures Commissioner had appointed the then secretary general of the Department of Justice to examine the disclosure, it was then "locked in time".

He also said that Brian O'Reilly was treated like dirt by An Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice.

Tánaiste Simon Harris said that both ministers had always discharged their duties in line with the advice given.

Complaints made about engineers' conduct, Dáil hears

Deputy Charles Ward from the 100% Redress Party asked Tánaiste Simon Harris what independent mechanism exists when complaints around engineers arise.

He was raising this in relation to the defective concrete blocks crisis.

He called for "proper independent accountability when professional standards affect public safety and people's homes".

He said complaints have been made to Engineers Ireland about professional conduct.

In response, the Tánaiste said there are clear administrative procedures for building compliance, and that a chain of responsibility exists.

He pointed towards the Building Control Act.

He said he recognises the "real trauma of people" in Co Donegal.

"I have been in homes affected in Donegal by this," said Mr Harris, adding that he has seen families' devastation, pain and stress.

He said the Programme for Government set out a commitment for a building's standard regulatory authority.

He said the Minister for Housing James Browne is implementing this to strengthen the oversight role of the State in the design and construction of buildings.

He said the minister would engage with Deputy Ward on this issue.