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Garda Investigations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 December 2015

Thursday, 10 December 2015

Questions (133)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

133. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a person who reports an issue and provides a lengthy written statement to An Garda Síochána is entitled to an update on the stage that the investigation is at, whether the Director of Public Prosecutions has made any comment on the matter, and if a definite line of inquiry is being followed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44612/15]

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Written answers

The Deputy will appreciate that the conduct of particular Garda investigations is a matter for the Garda authorities and I, as Minister, do not have a role in this regard. The Deputy will also be aware that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is independent in the performance of her functions and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the actions of the DPP in a particular case.

However, I can advise the Deputy in general terms that An Garda Síochána have always endeavoured to keep victims updated on the progress of investigations. Moreover, since the coming into force of the EU victims directive on 16 November 2015, on reporting a crime victims are entitled to be given contact details within An Garda Síochána for communications about their case. From the same date, victims are entitled to tell An Garda Síochána that they wish to receive updates on the stage the investigation is at. If they express such a wish, they must be provided with information on the state of criminal proceedings, unless in exceptional circumstances where the proper handling of the case may be adversely affected by such notification.

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