I wish to advise the Deputy that there are legal proceedings pertaining to this case. In 2008, the Irish Prison Service made a decision that an independent formal investigation was required in this case. This is in line with the Service's 'Anti-Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Bullying Policy'. Accordingly, the Irish Prison Service engaged the services of an independent external investigator to conduct an investigation into an allegation of alleged bullying and harassment. In selecting the Investigator, another external investigator who provided similar services was also considered at the time.
There were a number of reasons for the lengthy period taken to complete it. These included the withdrawal from and subsequent re-engagement with the investigation by the parties, the non-availability of witnesses at certain times, issues regarding the disclosure of certain records by some of the parties, the necessity to seek legal advice on a number of occasions during the course of the investigation, and the making of new allegations at a late stage in the investigation which required further interviews to be carried out. I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that the total cost of the investigation in question was in the region of €45,000. The costs include investigator fees, administrative and meeting expenses.
