I remind Deputies that supplementary questions should last one minute and the Minister has one minute to respond.
Tuesday, 9 October 2007
Questions (10)
Oral answers (11 contributions)
Liz McManus
Question:98 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made in the Garda investigation into recent allegations (details supplied); if the Garda investigation has been concluded; if a file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22492/07]
View answer
Níl an Teachta anseo, I will proceed nevertheless.
It does not matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the allegations referred to were the subject of a comprehensive investigation by An Garda Síochána. An investigation file in this matter has been submitted to the law officers and directions are awaited. As the file is under consideration by the law officers, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.
While I do not want to probe the matter unduly either, these are very serious allegations. A mother stumbled across information which implied that her 14 year old was being used at the centre of a paedophile ring. This caused her to visit her local Garda station and hand over her young son's mobile telephone. As I understand it, the initial investigation led to the suspension of a serving member of the Garda and a civil servant. The Minister said the investigation has concluded and a file has been referred to the DPP. I do not know if he can say when and if charges are likely to be preferred.
As I understand the position, the investigation has not yet concluded and a file remains to be submitted to the law officers. That is the factual position. It is the responsibility of the Garda to investigate criminal complaints, to gather whatever evidence may be available and, where appropriate, to submit the file to the DPP, who then decides whether a person should be prosecuted on the basis of the quality of the evidence before him. I do not have a function in the circumstances of this case.
I misheard and I did not appreciate the Minister said the file remains to be submitted. I thought it had been and the investigation concluded. This is a serious matter——
On completion of the investigation, a file will be submitted to the law officers. As the Garda investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.
The original reply stated a file is under consideration by the law officers.
That is what I heard.
I am sorry. I have inadvertently misled the House because I read the reply to a previous question. The Deputy is correct. The investigation file has been submitted to the law officers and we are at the stage where directions are required. I apologise to the Deputy.