Yesterday's statement: Centre for Public Inquiry ... Feargus Flood
1 The board of the Centre for Public Inquiry reiterates its full confidence in its executive director, Frank Connolly, and his integrity.
2 The board notes the recent controversy surrounding the CPI. The claim made in Dáil Éireann by the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, that either Frank Connolly or the CPI, or both, could pose a threat to the security of the State is entirely without evidential basis, unsustainable and totally untrue.
3 The CPI is an open, not for profit organisation. It has published two major reports since it began work in the spring of 2005.
The most recent report concerns the Corrib gas pipeline controversy and appears to have provoked the ire of certain vested interests and their political supporters. The first report concerned the construction of an hotel in the shadow of Trim Castle, Co Meath, a national monument in State care. It raised important issues of public concern including the manner in which the objections of the most senior officials charged with protecting the State's heritage were overruled by a former minister.
Both reports were issued in the public interest, were factually based and devoid of comment. Other inquiries into matters of public importance are currently under way.
4 In relation to allegations made against Frank Connolly, the board of the CPI, as a body committed to high standards in public life, believes in valued legal principles such as the presumption of innocence and the application of due process. On Thursday last, December 15th, 2005, a letter was issued by the Director for Public Prosecutions. It stated that the DPP had decided on March 7th, 2003, not to prosecute Mr Connolly in relation to allegations, which he has consistently denied, that he used a false passport.
This information would have been available to the Minister for Justice, his department and the Garda authorities for up to two years and eight months, yet Mr Connolly was only informed of the DPP's decision in recent days. The functions and decisions of the DPP are, by statute, independent.
5 Despite the DPP's decision in March 2003 not to prosecute Mr Connolly, a private and public blackening of his character has been unleashed by the Minister.
6 This shows a signal departure from principles of fair dealing and respect for justice to the individual citizen by the State which are absolute, save in the most exceptional cases and where legislated upon by the Oireachtas.
7 The methods adopted by the Minister may well have undermined the status, authority and the statutory independence of the DPP.
8 A further statement concerning the relationship between Atlantic Philanthropies and CPI will be issued in due course.
Feargus Flood chairman.
On behalf of the board of the Centre for Public Inquiry