Vol. 566 No. 2
191 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 346 of 15 April 2003, the response to same; and if he will consider the establishment of a specialised road traffic accident investigating unit within the Garda Siochána. [12539/03]
The reply referred to by the Deputy has set out the function of the Garda Síochána in relation to the investigation of fatal and serious injury road collisions. The current position is that Garda district officers, superintendents, or acting district officers, inspectors, take personal charge of all fatal and serious injury traffic collisions to ensure that personnel with appropriate experience are assigned and that the collision is investigated thoroughly. In addition, all technical assistance is availed of, including photography, mapping and scenes of crime examination. Once an investigation has been completed it is then a matter for the law officers to decide on whether further action is appropriate.
I am satisfied that there are experienced personnel, competent to carry out thorough and comprehensive investigations of fatal and serious injury traffic collisions available throughout the Garda Síochána and I have no plans at present to alter the current arrangements.
