Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 3

Written Answers. - Garda Discipline.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

410 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of members of the Garda Síochána convicted of common assault in 1990 who were allowed to continue to serve in the force; if data relating to persons so convicted is retained on computer by the Garda authorities; and the penalties or sanctions, if any, imposed by the Garda authorities under the Garda Síochána Discipline Regulations, 1989, or the Garda Síochána (Complaints) Act, 1986, on any member or members so convicted. [11806/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that while their computer data for 1990 indicate that no member was convicted of common assault that year, computer data relating to disciplinary matters prior to 1991 may not be fully complete. To ensure the absolute accuracy of a definitive statement about cases in 1990, therefore, all discipline files for that year and some earlier years would have to be examined manually. This would require a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources which could not be justified.