Callinan ‘not planning’ a full apology

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan does not intend issuing a full apology for describing the actions of whistleblowers as "disgusting", but will release a further clarifying statement, The Irish Times understands.

Senior Garda sources said an additional statement from Mr Callinan could come as early as today in a further bid to diffuse growing political unease ahead of tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting.

Speaking in Dublin last night, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he hadn't been in touch with Mr Callinan on the issue, but said it will be discussed at Cabinet. "We have an agenda for every Cabinet meeting obviously," Mr Kenny said. "I wouldn't pre-empt any of the issues." While Mr Kenny and Mr Callinan have not spoken, it is understood the Taoiseach and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore spoke over the weekend in an effort to calm tensions between the two Coalition partners.

Garda authority
Sources said the general idea of a new independent Garda authority could be discussed at Cabinet tomorrow, with agreement emerging between Fine Gael and Labour on the issue.

While a Government spokesperson did not respond to queries, Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan told RTÉ Radio yesterday he believed such proposals are "worthy of investigation".

"That's something I expect the Minister for Justice will be discussing with the Cabinet in the near future." However, there are still divided opinions in Cabinet on whether Mr Callinan should withdraw his comments, as requested by Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar and the Labour Party.

Mr Hogan said Mr Callinan had already clarified his remarks and he would keep his own opinions until the Cabinet meeting, as requested by Mr Kenny.

Labour sources repeated that it would be “helpful” if Mr Callinan withdrew his remarks, but said the ball is “now in the commissioner’s court”.

Meanwhile, some senior Garda officers believed the matter had become a political football, and claimed Mr Varadkar's comments could be explained by a possible Fine Gael leadership contest later this year if Mr Kenny became president of the European Council.

Whistleblowers
The same sources said the Data Protection Commissioner had supported Mr Callinan's contention that the whistleblowers should not have accessed personal data on Pulse for distribution to third parties, including to the Public Accounts Committee. They also said the whistleblowers had confused private citizens with public figures of the same names and had erroneously distributed private citizen's data in support of the contention that famous people had points terminated because of their public profile.

“In some of the cases, the motorists had legitimate reasons anyway for having their points cancelled,” said one officer.