The Taoiseach has for the first time said he was called to give evidence at the Fennelly Commission.
However, Enda Kenny stopped short of saying if he was one of three people called to give evidence a second time. Mr Kenny was replying to a question from Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin in the Dáíl this afternoon.
“I was called before the commission of investigation and I responded to that. I’m very happy that I have complied with my responsibilities as far as the commission of investigation is concerned,” Mr Kenny said.
“I have complied completely and fully with my responsibilities in this matter.
“The justice (Fennelly) did write to me, I responded to him,” he added.
Mr Kenny went on to say that once he received the report he would publish, rather than leave it “sitting on a shelf”.
Previously, Mr Kenny has said it would be illegal for him to confirm whether he had given evidence to the inquiry.
In the Dáil today he said it would be illegal to say what evidence he gave - but confirmed he had been called to give evidence.
Mr Justice Niall Fennelly was appointed last year to investigate the taping of phone calls at Garda stations nationwide and the events that lead to the resignation of former Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan.
With the Ian Bailey civil action against the State finishing yesterday it now appears the path is clear for Justice Fennelly to release his report. Mr Fennelly had written to the Taoiseach earlier this month to advise that the ongoing Ian Bailey case - in which bailey was suing the State and Garda Commissioner for alleged wrongful arrest in connection with the 1996 death of Sophie Toscan du Plantier – was linked to the secret Garda recordings that led to Martin Callinan resigning as Garda Commissioner last year.
This morning the Taoiseach told reporters it is up to Mr Justice Fennelly to decide on the release of the report, admitting that he heard from a member of the commission that the draft report will be sent to interviewees before publication.
“That’s part of the very normal process being followed by the commission of investigation, that’s a matter for Judge Fennelly of course,” he said.
