There was uproar when Opposition deputies accused the Minister for Justice of interfering with the Garda to ensure that the erection of a new mast and antenna in Co Donegal was halted.

Mr O'Donoghue insisted that the Opposition was exaggerating the issue. During bitter exchanges, the Minister said that Mr Michael Noonan (FG, Limerick East) had advanced the view when he was Minister for Justice that there were occasions when the Minister should become chief executive of the force. "I am not saying that is something I would agree with, but that is what Deputy Noonan said some years ago."

Later Mr Noonan said: "Is it in order that this clownish excuse for a justice minister should cast aspersions on his predecessor?"

Mr O'Donoghue said there was a contractual agreement with Esat Digifone, which was signed by the previous government, allowing it to install mobile telephonic equipment at specified Garda stations subject to certain conditions.

On last Wednesday morning, he was contacted by Mr Harry Blaney, Independent TD for Donegal North East, who was concerned about actions which were under way to erect a new mast and install an antenna at Kerrykeel Garda station. (Mr Blaney supports the Government and was due in the Dail later in the day for votes on the Budget.)

Mr O'Donoghue said Mr Blaney had explained there was a large number of gardai in Kerrykeel to ensure the erection of the mast and antenna would proceed.

"A large number of local residents, including women and children, were there intending to resist, and there was considerable agitation and clearly the potential for conflict. Deputy Blaney requested the matter be resolved and said that he did not propose to attend the Dail that day unless he had an assurance that the erection of the mast and antennae would not proceed."

Mr O'Donoghue said that, because conflict seemed likely, he had contacted the secretary-general of his Department and asked him to convey his concerns to the Garda Commissioner and his view that action on the erection of the mast and antenna should be halted.

"The end result of this was, I understand, that local agreement for the erection of the Garda mast, which is essential for the maintenance of effective Garda communications, would stand, but the installation of the Esat antennae did not go ahead."

The Minister said he had told Mr Blaney that he could not give any guarantee in writing that the installation of the antenna would never go ahead as there were other parties to the contact.

The Labour spokesman on justice, Dr Pat Upton, suggested that what had happened was effectively the tearing up of a contract made with Esat Digifone.

Mr O'Donoghue said he had absolutely no conversation whatsoever with the Taoiseach prior to talking to Mr Blaney, but he did have discussions with the Government Chief Whip, Mr Seamus Brennan, who had asked him to contact Mr Blaney. No assurances had been given to Deputies Mildred Fox and Thomas Gildea.

"I do not believe that there are implications regarding the tearing up of a contract for the very simple reason that no contract has been torn up."

The Fine Gael spokesman on justice, Mr Jim Higgins, said the Minister's interference was "ham-fisted and wrong". He added that Mr O'Donoghue had admitted that zero tolerance had given way to anarchy.

Accusing Mr Higgins of grossly exaggerating the situation, the Minister said the independence of the Garda was not compromised in any way. He added that, as Minister, he was a party and bound by a contract entered into with the company and a number of other parties.