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23/02/2010
Minister Faces 'Grave Allegation'
There are calls today for the Green's Minister of State, Trevor Sargent, to face questions in the Daíl after he told a national newspaper he had written to Gardaí about a prosecution.
The Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said he has asked for an urgent report after claims emerged that Minister Sargent wrote to a garda seeking to have charges against one of his constituents dropped.
The constituent was later convicted of threatening and abusive behaviour and fined €500.
Today, the two largest Opposition parties, Fine Gael and Labour have called for Mr Sargent to face questions in the Daíl over what have been called "grave allegations".
The Labour party's spokesperson on Justice Pat Rabbitte said an attempt by the Green Minister of State Trevor Sargent to influence the Gardai to drop a prosecution against a constituent would be a "grave matter" that required an immediate Dail statement from Deputy Sargent.
"For a member of the Dail to attempt to influence the Gardai to drop a prosecution in this way is, to use Minister Sargent’s own phrase, totally inappropriate. It is even more serious when it involves a government minister and when the letter is written on Departmental paper. Indeed his conduct may possibly be unlawful under Section six of the 1974 Prosecution of Offences Act," Mr Rabitte said.
He added: "The fact that the person concerned was subsequently convicted and had a significant fine imposed on him raises even more serious questions about Minister Sargent’s conduct and his judgement.
"Given that a spokesperson for the Green Party has confirmed that the letter was sent it is essential that the Taoiseach requires Minister Sargent to come into the Dail, to make a detailed personal statement on the matter and take questions on his conduct.
Meanwhile, Fine Gael Justice Spokesperson Charlie Flanagan is to raise the matter in the Dáil this afternoon.
Mr Flanagan said the issue is a resignation matter if the story stands up and has said Green Party leader John Gormley should act.
(DW/BMcC)
The Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said he has asked for an urgent report after claims emerged that Minister Sargent wrote to a garda seeking to have charges against one of his constituents dropped.
The constituent was later convicted of threatening and abusive behaviour and fined €500.
Today, the two largest Opposition parties, Fine Gael and Labour have called for Mr Sargent to face questions in the Daíl over what have been called "grave allegations".
The Labour party's spokesperson on Justice Pat Rabbitte said an attempt by the Green Minister of State Trevor Sargent to influence the Gardai to drop a prosecution against a constituent would be a "grave matter" that required an immediate Dail statement from Deputy Sargent.
"For a member of the Dail to attempt to influence the Gardai to drop a prosecution in this way is, to use Minister Sargent’s own phrase, totally inappropriate. It is even more serious when it involves a government minister and when the letter is written on Departmental paper. Indeed his conduct may possibly be unlawful under Section six of the 1974 Prosecution of Offences Act," Mr Rabitte said.
He added: "The fact that the person concerned was subsequently convicted and had a significant fine imposed on him raises even more serious questions about Minister Sargent’s conduct and his judgement.
"Given that a spokesperson for the Green Party has confirmed that the letter was sent it is essential that the Taoiseach requires Minister Sargent to come into the Dail, to make a detailed personal statement on the matter and take questions on his conduct.
Meanwhile, Fine Gael Justice Spokesperson Charlie Flanagan is to raise the matter in the Dáil this afternoon.
Mr Flanagan said the issue is a resignation matter if the story stands up and has said Green Party leader John Gormley should act.
(DW/BMcC)
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