Question:
12 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures, if any, he has taken to resolve the large number of missing person cases; and if he will establish a missing persons unit. [20527/98]
Priority Questions. - Missing Persons.
I have taken particular interest in the issue of missing persons, and am concerned to do all I can to ensure the Garda Síochána has effective arrangements and the necessary resources to trace those reported missing.
I am sure the House will welcome the Garda Commissioner's recent decision to appoint a group with overall responsibility to review a specific number of these complex cases. The group consists of an Assistant Commissioner, a superintendent, an inspector, two detective sergeants and two detective gardaí, and is based at Naas Garda station. The group was set up to re-examine the original investigations of six unsolved cases of missing women, and will initially examine the cases of Annie McCarrick, Jo Jo Dullard, Fiona Pender, Ciara Breen, Fiona Sinnot and Deirdre Jacob. None of the officers involved will be reviewing cases on which they worked in the original investigations. They are all members of An Garda Síochána and have all the legal and investigative powers which that entails.
The Garda authorities continuously review the effectiveness of the working methods and procedures employed in missing persons cases and, following a review of police work practices in other countries, several improvements were made earlier this year. In the area of information technology, a database is being developed within PULSE, the Garda information system, to allow for cross referencing, linkages and analysis in dealing with missing persons cases and unidentified bodies countrywide. This should be in place early next year. The Garda information technology section is also developing a web site on the Internet. More detailed and elaborate procedures were introduced earlier in the year involving the completion of more detailed forms when missing persons are first reported, and more stringent guidelines have also been introduced in dealing with missing persons cases. The Garda also nominated liaison officers to keep the relatives of missing persons informed of progress and a juvenile liaison officer is also involved where the missing person is under 18.
While overall statistics are no consolation to those involved or their families, the Irish situation with regard to missing persons compares favourably with international standards. In 1997, the last year for which figures are available, 1,877 ‘acceptable' missing persons were reported to the Garda. Of these, six remained missing at the end of the year.
Dr. Upton
Will the Minister establish a missing persons' unit as distinct from co-ordinating groups? What contacts has the Garda had with Interpol regarding missing people? Will the Minister elaborate further on the use which will be made of the Internet to address the matter? Will he outline in more detail the extent of contact with families of missing people? Of the people who go missing each year, 20 to 50 are not accounted for. Will the Minister indicate how frequently the families of those people are contacted and in what manner they are updated on developments?
The value of a centralised Garda national missing persons' unit is kept under continuing review and I have indicated my preference for it. However, it is up to the Garda Commissioner to decide to introduce such a unit. I am sure his recent decision to appoint a group with overall responsibility for reviewing a specific number of cases will be welcomed by the House.
Regarding resources being made available to the Garda, while I do not believe it to be a difficulty, if it should transpire additional resources are required, they will be made available.
The contact the Garda maintains in an investigation is an operational matter for it. I am assured by the Commissioner that the Garda will deploy the necessary resources to investigate missing persons' cases.
Dr. Upton
What is the estimated cost of the establishment of a missing persons' unit? Will the Minister give details on the frequency with which the families of missing people are contacted? Will he outline what formal, established structures exist to maintain the contact? Is it possible for families of missing people to contact the Garda about their concerns and obtain an up to date response within a short time?
It is always open to people to consult the Garda Síochána regarding the progress of an investigation, and I am certain they will be treated by the Garda with the courtesy to which they are entitled. I am unfortunately not in a position to inform Deputy Upton of the approximate cost of the establishment of a missing persons' unit, but I will have it examined and communicate with him.
Dr. Upton
Has there been any response to the posting of the information on the missing people concerned, on the Internet? Has it generated any useful information? Is the Minister satisfied he is spending enough money on making the public aware of the existence of this site on the Internet?
I am satisfied the public is kept as aware as possible. Clearly I am unable to enter into the given details of specifics in any case.