I propose to take Questions Nos. 536 to 540, inclusive, together.
My Department, and previous Ministers, have been in receipt of correspondence from the individual concerned over many years in relation to the issues raised by the Deputy in her Questions. There have been a number of Departments and statutorily independent Offices involved in considering different aspects of the issues raised and insofar as my Department is concerned a complaint was lodged several years ago with the Ombudsman’s Office in relation to how my Department had handled the matter. The Ombudsman’s Office decided to close their file in this case without any adverse findings issuing against the Department. My Department has also repeatedly responded to Freedom of Information requests related to the questions raised and provided information to the individual concerned. The Information Commissioner, along with the Ombudsman, accepted after a lengthy and comprehensive investigation that my Department had acted appropriately with the individual concerned.
Insofar as European Social Fund Programmes from a decade and more ago are concerned, these have been deemed "closed" for some time by the European Authorities with all payments due from the EU Commission to Ireland fully reconciled.
I am further informed that An Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Francis Fitzgerald T.D., has decided to establish an inquiry under the terms of section 42 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 into Garda actions in respect of allegations made against the person referred to by the Deputy. Accordingly, any specific queries on that inquiry might be raised directly with my colleague.