Vol. 488 No. 6
21 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 26 of 2 December 1997, members of the Garda Síochána have visited the United Kingdom to study methods of investigation of missing persons; the initiatives, if any, he intends to establish in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6679/98]
38 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 26 of 2 December 1997, members of the Garda Síochána have visited the United Kingdom to study methods of investigation of missing persons; the initiatives, if any, he intends to establish in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6681/98]
48 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 26 of 2 December 1997, members of the Garda Síochána have visited the United Kingdom to study methods of investigation of missing persons; the initiatives, if any, he intends to establish in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6676/98]
55 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 26 of 2 December 1997, members of the Garda Síochána have visited the United Kingdom to study methods of investigation of missing persons; the initiatives, if any, he intends to establish in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6675/98]
71 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 26 of 2 December 1997, members of the Garda Síochána have visited the United Kingdom to study methods of investigation of missing persons; the initiatives, if any, he intends to establish in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6677/98]
86 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 26 of 2 December 1997, members of the Garda Síochána have visited the United Kingdom to study methods of investigation of missing persons; the initiatives, if any, he intends to establish in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6680/98]
124 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 26 of 2 December 1997, members of the Garda Síochána have visited the United Kingdom to study methods of investigation of missing persons; the initiatives, if any, he intends to establish in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6674/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 38, 48, 55, 71, 86 and 124 together.
Officials of my Department recently met with police officers from the United Kingdom to discuss, in general terms, a new investigative initiative which has been introduced in the UK and which involves the analysis of data using sophisticated computer software. The meeting took place in Dublin prior to the UK officers taking part in a conference.
Following on from this meeting, officials of my Department and Garda Síochána representatives have been invited to travel to the United Kingdom later this month in order that they can fully assess and evaluate the initiative. As I have stated in the House before, I am concerned to ensure that effective arrangements are in place to trace missing persons. If the initiative shows sufficient promise, I will consider its adoption in this country.
