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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Mar 1995

Vol. 450 No. 6

Written Answers. - Road Traffic Accidents.

Ivor Callely

Question:

20 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice if she will give to relatives of persons killed in road traffic accidents or their legal representative the authority to obtain full information regarding the accident and allow these persons an involvement in the legal process in the charging of a person or persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5494/95]

It is long standing practice that persons involved in traffic accidents, their legal advisers or insurers or other interested party may, on written request to the Garda authorities, be supplied with an abstract of the relevant Garda report, copies of statements of witnesses and, if available, sketches or maps of the accident scene. For legal reasons the abstract is not supplied in cases where criminal proceedings are contemplated or initiated. I am assured by the Garda authorities that every effort is made by them to give the fullest information to the relatives of those killed in road traffic accidents.

As to their involvement in the process of preferring criminal charges, this is a matter for consideration by the Director of Public Prosecutions who is independent in the exercise of his duties.

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