Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2016
123. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of recommendations from the Garda Inspectorate report of 2009 on missing persons that have been implemented; if she will provide an explanation for each recommendation not yet implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39946/16]
View answerIn line with a commitment in the Programme for Government 2007, the Garda Síochána Inspectorate examined Garda practice with regard to missing persons. The Inspectorate found overall that Garda systems for handling missing persons cases are in line with international best practice. The Inspectorate's Report contained 18 recommendations on how these systems could be further enhanced and 17 of these recommendations have been implemented.
Recommendation 11, which states that 'the Garda Síochána ensure that missing persons technology allows for collaboration and coordination with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and other police services across Europe', has been deferred with the acknowledgment of the Garda Inspectorate.
To identify the optimum technology required to support effective collaboration, co-ordination and communication with other police services, An Garda Síochána has observed a cross border alert involving Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. However, current technology allows for the collaboration by An Garda Síochána with the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC) on its international website for missing children and in all cases with an international dimension, the services of INTERPOL are utilised.
In 2012, the Child Rescue Ireland (CRI) Alert was launched, which enables An Garda Síochána to seek the assistance of the public where a child has been abducted and where there is a reasonable belief that there is an immediate and serious risk to the health or welfare of a child. In 2013, a mobile 'app' for CRI Alert was launched and to date over 20,000 people have downloaded it.
