Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2017
148. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of an investigation (details supplied) which resulted in a number of persons being charged with false imprisonment and other serious offences; and the costs incurred by An Garda Síochána, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Courts Service, Legal Aid payments and all other costs incurred by other State bodies in the investigation. [31817/17]
View answerI am not in a position to supply the information requested by the Deputy. In respect of costs incurred by An Garda Síochána, the manner in which Garda resources, including financial resources, are deployed during an investigation is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner and her management team and I have no function in this regard. Similarly, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system. I understand, however, that the Courts Service had no function in relation to the investigation into the matters referred to and has not incurred any costs in that regard. In respect of legal aid, the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 provides that free legal aid may be granted, in certain circumstances, for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. However, I am advised that the manner in which payment data is recorded does not allow for the computation of the cost incurred in relation to the matters referred to.
Lastly, the Deputy will appreciate that the Director of Public Prosecutions is independent in the performance of her functions and does not come within the remit of my Department.
