Written Answers Nos. 273-286
273. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the degree to which he remains satisfied that adequate resources continue to be made available for combatting organised crime and the activity of criminal gangs; the extent of the success of such measures over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52038/17]
View answerAs I have assured the Deputy previously, targeting organised crime continues to be an on-going priority for the Government and An Garda Síochána.
An Garda Síochána is tackling organised criminal activity through a range of targeted measures designed to disrupt and dismantle the operations of criminal organisations utilising advanced analytical and intelligence methodologies. This involves targeting serious criminals and organised criminal groups on a number of fronts and across all geographical locations.
This is achieved through the use of focused intelligence led operations by Garda specialist units, including the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the National Economic Crime Bureau and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigations. When required, support from the Security and Intelligence Section is also available. These specialist units also work closely with the Criminal Assets Bureau in targeting persons involved in such criminality.
It can be seen therefore that multi-disciplinary approaches are used by An Garda Síochána to ensure the activities of individuals and groups involved in criminal enterprise are effectively targeted. Such approaches also include the use of money-laundering legislation and the powers available to the Criminal Assets Bureau under the proceeds of crime legislation.
In this regard, the Deputy might recall the new powers introduced under the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 2016 which provides for Bureau Officers, subject to certain conditions, to immediately seize and detain property for a 24 hour period. Provision is also made for this period to be extended upon the authorisation of the Chief Bureau Officer, subject to certain conditions, for a further period not exceeding 21 days. In this context, the Act also lowered the thresholds applicable to seizures by reducing the value of property involved from €13,000 to €5,000. In addition, new regulations were made to reduce the prescribed amount of cash suspected of being the proceeds of crime which can be seized, from €6,500 to €1,000.
I am advised by the Commissioner that a competition to fill vacancies for Sergeants and Gardaí at the Units comprising Special Crime Operations was completed at the end of 2016 and additional Sergeants and Gardaí are being allocated to these Units, on a phased basis, most recently in August, with a further tranche following the next attestation of new Gardaí to take place later this week.
The capacity of Garda management to allocate additional resources to specialist units is a result of the significant investment in personnel to which the Government is committed under its Five Year Reform and High Level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána.
I am informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, close to 1,400 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána. I look forward to attending the attestation of another 200 trainee Garda on Friday which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end.
The Capital Plan 2016–2021 provides for an investment of €46 million in the Garda fleet to ensure that the Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime. This is in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015.
Some €330 million, including €205 million under the Capital Plan, is being invested in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021. This major investment will allow An Garda Síochána to deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime and will facilitate progress on important reforms arising from the Garda Inspectorate's report on Crime Investigation.
A total budget of €1.65 billion has been provided to An Garda Síochána in 2018, an increase of 2% on 2017 and includes almost €100 million for Garda overtime.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Garda operational responses to gang-related crime in Dublin are coordinated under Operation Hybrid. As of 31 October 2017, there have been 71 arrests in relation to gang-related killings, with 8 persons charged in connection with those murders and a further 3 persons charged with related offences. In addition, 30 firearms have been seized and over 14,260 lines of enquiry conducted. In excess of 44,490 high visibility checkpoints have been implemented with significant support from Armed Support Units and a significant amount of CCTV footage, mobile phone traffic, and forensic evidence is also being examined. Operation Hybrid is reviewed on a weekly basis to maintain optimal impact.
274. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the delays in the courts have been resolved or are under resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52039/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, 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. Furthermore, the scheduling of court cases and the allocation of court business is a matter for the Presidents of the Courts and the presiding judges who are, under the Constitution, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the position regarding the waiting times for the various courts is as follows:
Supreme Court
Under the direction of the then Chief Justice, by the end of 2016, the Supreme Court had almost entirely disposed of its retained legacy appeals. At its peak the total backlog amounted to almost 3,000 appeals with consequential waiting times up to four and a half years in some cases. The current position in relation to the new jurisdiction appeals in the Supreme Court is as follows:
- Average waiting time for applications for leave to appeal from filing of complete documentation to determination - 6 weeks, and
- Average waiting time for appeals from determination of leave application to appeal hearing - 54 weeks.
Court of Appeal
Following the establishment of the Court of Appeal on 28 October 2014 the waiting times for appeals reduced significantly and the waiting times at 30 November 2017 were as follows:
(a) Civil Appeals
- Fast tracked short appeals (requiring less that 2 hours) - 12 months subject to the case being included in the "short cases" list and with the possibility of an earlier date, and
- other appeals (requiring more than 2 hours) - the waiting time for these appeals is 18 months.
Urgent appeals such as Hague Convention/child abduction and refugee asylum cases continue to be accommodated having regard to the degree of urgency demonstrated. Also civil appeals which have a custody and/or criminal element are now case-managed in the Criminal Courts of Justice by the panel of 4 judges assigned to deal with the criminal appeal list thus ensuring the degree of priority necessary for hearing of such appeals. As a result waiting times for these cases are as follows:
- Article 40/habeas corpus appeals and bail appeals are usually heard in one month or less;
- European Arrest Warrant cases and Judicial Review cases are heard within the current legal term provided the necessary papers are in order.
(b) Criminal Appeals
Criminal Appeals have a waiting time of 6 months. This is significantly better than the 18 month waiting time in the Court of Criminal Appeal prior to the establishment of the Court of Appeal. Hearing dates can now be allocated during the subsequent legal term to the majority of cases included in the List to Fix Dates (held once a term). An occasional case which requires a full day or in excess of a day, or a case where for various reasons a date during a specific week/month is requested by the parties and which the court simply cannot accommodate due to the availability of court time, will be allocated a date during the subsequent term.
Criminal appeals (and civil appeals for hearing in the Criminal Courts of Justice) are actively managed on a weekly basis by the Judge assigned to management of the criminal lists to ensure cases are dealt with as efficiently as possible and delays in moving cases to the List to Fix Dates due to procedural issues arising are kept to a minimum. Applications for priority may be made at the weekly management list.
Arrangements have been made to identify suitable legacy appeals for transfer back to the Supreme Court for hearing, subject to the necessary application being made by a party to the appeal under Article 64 of the Constitution. This recent initiative, agreed between the Chief Justice and the President of the Court of Appeal, has seen a first tranche of 60 legacy appeals (transferred from the Supreme Court) identified for transfer back to the Supreme Court with a view to an early hearing date in that court. As of 5 December 2017 20 of these appeals have been transferred back to the Supreme Court and, of these, 9 appeals are listed for hearing this week and next week in the Supreme Court with the remainder scheduled for hearing in February 2018.
Special Criminal Court
The waiting time for a hearing date in the Special Criminal Courts is now 12 months following the establishment of the Second Special Criminal Court on 6 May 2016. This compares with up to 24 months prior to the establishment of the Second Special Criminal Court.
High Court
Since 19 October 2017, when High Court waiting times were last advised to the Deputy, a further analysis shows waiting times generally maintained across all court lists and venues. A significant development has been the reduction in the waiting times for Asylum pre-leave actions from 7 months to 1 week as a result of new case management measures. The Chancery, Commercial and Family Law Lists each offer hearing dates in the first legal term of 2018. The only High Court category showing increased waiting times over this period are non-jury actions, including Circuit Court appeals, which have extended from 9 months to 11 months.
Central Criminal Court
The current waiting time in the Central Criminal Court is 12 months. Prior to securing a fifth Judge in October 2015, the waiting times had extended to 18 months.
Circuit Court and District Court
Circuit and District Courts are courts of local jurisdiction and waiting times vary from venue to venue based on the number, complexity and scheduling of cases. The data provided in the Courts Service Annual Reports indicates that waiting times are being maintained or reduced across most venues and the categories of cases.
The Courts Service has also informed me that the Presidents of the various courts work together with the Courts Service to achieve improvements in waiting times and continue to arrange additional sittings where possible within the resources available to them to deal with any delays in the hearing of cases and to target judicial resources at the areas of greatest need.
The Courts Service has advised that delays in the hearing of cases can occur for a number of reasons, many of which are outside the control of the Courts and the Courts Service, for example, the unavailability of a witness or vital evidence, delays in the furnishing of reports or because the parties and/or legal practitioners are not ready to proceed on allocated dates. This gives rise to adjournments which can have a major impact on the time taken to complete the hearing of a case and on the number of cases which can be disposed of in a court sitting.
As the Deputy is aware, a Group to review the administration of civil justice in the State, chaired by the President of the High Court Mr. Justice Peter Kelly, was established recently. The first meeting of the Group was held on 9 November 2017 and call for submissions to the Group has been advertised with a deadline of 16 February 2018.
The Group is to report to me within two years, and will make recommendations for changes with a view to improving access to civil justice in the State, promoting early resolution of disputes, reducing the cost of litigation, creating a more responsive and proportionate system and ensuring better outcomes for court users.
275. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners incarcerated in all facilities throughout the country; the number on parole, special or day release, compassionate release or other; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52040/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the information requested by the Deputy in relation to number of prisoners in custody in each prison and the number on Temporary Release is published daily on the Irish Prison Service website www.irishprisons.ie. The information can be found in the Information Centre - under Statistics and Information - Daily Prisoner Population.
I can further inform the Deputy that there are currently 88 prisoners released into the community on licence under the supervision of the Probation Service.
The IPS works in close partnership with the Probation Service and An Garda Síochána in respect of the management of life sentenced prisoners who are living in the community. A range of temporary release conditions are applied which, if not adhered to, may result in the prisoner being returned to custody.
276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which first time offenders have early access to education and rehabilitative training in the various prisons throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52041/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that it provides a wide range of rehabilitative programmes to those in custody that includes education, vocational training, healthcare, psychiatric, psychological, counselling, welfare and spiritual services. These programmes can offer purposeful activity to those in custody while serving their sentences and encouraging them to lead law abiding lives on release. These programmes are available in all prisons and all prisoners are eligible to use the services.
Education Participation Rates October 2017
|
W/E 06.10.2017 |
W/E 13.10.2017 |
|||||||
|
Pop |
Participation |
Pop |
Participation |
Pop |
||||
|
Institution |
n |
n |
% |
n |
% |
n |
||
|
Arbour Hill |
135 |
93 |
135 |
97 |
135 |
85 |
||
|
Castlerea |
263 |
112 |
256 |
119 |
265 |
104 |
||
|
Cloverhill |
387 |
68 |
389 |
78 |
361 |
75 |
||
|
Cork |
275 |
146 |
264 |
187 |
261 |
128 |
||
|
Dochas |
114 |
61 |
117 |
52 |
126 |
45 |
||
|
Limerick |
225 |
115 |
231 |
112 |
233 |
101 |
||
|
Loughan |
103 |
91 |
112 |
88 |
108 |
87 |
||
|
Midlands |
822 |
292 |
823 |
296 |
811 |
291 |
||
|
Mountjoy |
415 |
129 |
435 |
92 |
463 |
62 |
||
|
Portlaoise |
215 |
74 |
220 |
115 |
225 |
89 |
||
|
Shelton Abbey |
109 |
66 |
106 |
64 |
105 |
59 |
||
|
Mountjoy West |
118 |
59 |
114 |
58 |
107 |
61 |
||
|
Wheatfield |
421 |
89 |
417 |
60 |
421 |
53 |
[Table cont]
|
W/E 20.10.2017 |
W/E 27.10.2017 |
W/E 30.10.2017 |
||||
|
Participation |
Pop |
Participation |
Pop |
Participation |
||
|
Institution |
% |
n |
% |
n |
||
|
Arbour Hill |
136 |
90 |
M |
|||
|
Castlerea |
267 |
138 |
I |
|||
|
Cloverhill |
374 |
90 |
D |
|||
|
Cork |
265 |
164 |
T |
|||
|
Dochas |
130 |
47 |
E |
|||
|
Limerick |
233 |
112 |
R |
|||
|
Loughan |
119 |
88 |
M |
|||
|
Midlands |
826 |
372 |
||||
|
Mountjoy |
435 |
96 |
||||
|
Portlaoise |
223 |
129 |
||||
|
Shelton Abbey |
104 |
62 |
||||
|
Mountjoy West |
138 |
66 |
||||
|
Wheatfield |
414 |
88 |
277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which various Garda stations throughout the country require replacement, improvement or other upgrading; the number and location of stations in line for such replacement or improvement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52042/17]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. This includes identifying and progressing any necessary remedial or refurbishment works required at individual stations. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am assured by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána liaises very closely with the OPW in relation to any maintenance issues arising in Garda stations. This ensures that any issues arising which require remedial attention are addressed with the least possible delay.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021, which is an ambitious 5 year Programme based on agreed Garda priorities continues to benefit over thirty locations around the country. The Programme includes over €60million of Exchequer funding as well as a major Public Private Partnership project. It will provide new stations and modernise older stations at key locations around the country, ensuring safe, modern working environment for members and staff of An Garda Síochána as well as fit-for-purpose facilities for visitors, victims and suspects.
The programme includes a number of elements which reflect strategic priorities for An Garda Síochána, including:
- a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project to deliver new Garda stations in Sligo, Clonmel, and Macroom;
- major refurbishment of stations/facilities including facilities for meeting victims of crime;
- essential remedial works to existing stations;
- development of large scale Property and Exhibit Management Stores;
- upgrade of cells and provision of improved Custody Management Facilities.
In addition to the Garda Station Building and Refurbishment Programme, over €100 million has been provided for new Divisional Headquarters in Kevin Street, Dublin and Wexford, as well as for a new Regional Headquarters in Galway. Each of these projects is underway, with the Wexford Divisional HQ handed over to An Garda Síochána for occupation and use on 15 September 2017. I understand that the other projects will be completed by Q1 2018.
278. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of criminal gang members in prison, on parole or on bail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52043/17]
View answerI am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that a report compiled by them has identified 10 criminal groupings within the prison population excluding the subversive groupings in Portlaoise Prison.
Membership or allegiance of these criminal groups fluctuates on a continuous basis with some persons breaking links and others becoming affiliated on a daily basis. It is also the case that prisoners will not always declare their affiliation to certain groupings and it is therefore not possible to provide definitive numbers in relation to the number of known members of criminal groupings currently in custody, on parole or on bail.
The emergence in recent years of criminal groupings has had significant implications for the management of Irish Prisons. Rivalries and feuds which develop on the outside continue inside the prison. Prison management must ensure that the various factions are kept apart, and as far as possible, that members of criminal groups do not have influence over other inmates in the prisons or criminal activities outside.
The Irish Prison Service is committed to preventing identified members of criminal groups from conducting criminal activities while in custody and also to prevent them exerting inappropriate influence over other persons. For example, the security initiatives undertaken by the Operational Support Group have made it more difficult for prisoners to engage in illegal activities while in prison. These initiatives include the installation of airport style security including scanners and x-ray machines. The core function of this group includes the gathering and collating of intelligence information on members of criminal groups in custody, carrying out intelligence led searches and preventing the flow of contraband, including mobile phones, into the prisons.
In addition, there is regular contact between the Irish Prison Service and An Garda Síochána to discuss security issues including the operation of criminal groupings.
279. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which adequate provision continues to be made to ensure the availability of the most sophisticated technology to assist An Garda Síochána in the course of its duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52044/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda equipment and resources, including ICT, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government recognises that Gardaí must have the modern technology and resources necessary to detect and investigate crimes, and to prevent loss and harm to citizens and their property on a 24/7 basis. Accordingly, the Garda Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016 to 2021 sets out a series of initiatives which will enable An Garda Síochána to deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime.
In support of this plan, some €330 million, including €205 million under the Capital Plan, is being invested in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021 to enable An Garda Síochána to deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in delivering professional policing and security services for the community. In parallel with this, a new ICT Strategy document is being developed that will align with the vision of the organisation to be a beacon of 21st century policing; it is expected that this ICT strategy will be finalised in Q1 2018 and will cover the period 2018-2021.
Garda ICT infrastructure is currently supporting a number of initiatives that are already underway as part of the Modernisation and Renewal Programme. It also continues to support and develop existing systems and infrastructures, ensuring that current systems support the ongoing business requirements of An Garda Síochána and that its datacentres and communications infrastructures can meet the demands of the organisation.
The ICT strategy will examine how each business unit within ICT can support the current and future needs of the organisation, leveraging new technologies (e.g. cloud computing) and aligning with government strategies. A redevelopment of the PULSE system is also envisaged to ensure that the user interface, system architecture and support processes can support the future needs of the organisation. Furthermore, a new ICT HR plan will be developed to ensure that the appropriate skills and resources are available to deliver on ICT commitments.
280. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to increase the statutory powers of the Policing Authority. [52049/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Policing Authority is an independent statutory body established on 1 January 2016 to oversee the performance of An Garda Síochána in relation to policing services, to promote public awareness of policing matters and to promote and support the continuous improvements in policing in Ireland.
The statutory basis for the Authority is the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015, which amended the Garda Síochána Act 2005. The establishment of the Policing Authority represents one of the most significant developments in policing since the foundation of the State.
I want to make it clear that the Government is fully supportive of the Authority having appropriate powers so that it can carry out its oversight functions in an efficient and effective manner. I would draw the attention of the Deputy to the provisions of section 62O of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which requires the Authority to prepare a report on the effectiveness of the Authority and the adequacy of the functions assigned to it by the legislation. The report can contain recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the Authority and is required to be submitted to me, as Minister, before the end of this year.
Furthermore, the Deputy will be aware that the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is currently examining all aspects of policing, including the oversight arrangements. The Commission is due to report by September 2018.
It would premature to proceed to make changes to the Policing Authority's statutory powers in advance of receiving the advice of the two bodies.
281. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to increase the number of Garda reservists to police rural crime. [52050/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the recruitment and training of the Garda Reserve and the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I am advised by the Commissioner that the strength of the Reserve on the 31 October 2017 was 603. It is regrettable that there has been a substantial reduction in the strength of the Reserve in recent years from a peak of 1,164 in 2013. The fall-off arises from a range of factors, not least the lifting in 2014 of the moratorium on recruitment of trainee Gardaí which has affected Reserve numbers in two ways - firstly some serving Reserves have successfully applied to become trainee Gardaí, and secondly, resources in both An Garda Síochána and in the Public Appointment Service have been focused on delivering an accelerated programme of recruitment of full time members of An Garda Síochána.
I am sure that the Deputy will agree, notwithstanding the very valuable contribution of Reserve members throughout the country, that it was the right decision, with finite resources, to prioritise the running of recruitment campaigns to replenish the full-time ranks of An Garda Síochána over the last three years.
The "Programme for a Partnership Government" includes a commitment to double the Garda Reserve to act in a supportive role undertaking local patrols and crime reduction measures. In line with this the Government has in place a plan to achieve a Reserve strength of 2,000 by 2021. I am pleased that Budget 2018 will facilitate the strengthening of the Reserve next year with new Reserves expected to commence training early in 2018 following the undertaking of a recruitment campaign earlier this year.
In conjunction with the major expansion of the Reserve over the next number of years we must ensure that it is used to optimum effect to support effective policing. To inform future decisions around the use of the Reserve An Garda Síochána is conducting a strategic review as a matter of priority with a view to completion before the end of this year. As a first step the Garda Executive has taken a decision to transfer the management of the Reserve from the Human Resource and People Development Directorate to the Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for Community Engagement. This is intended to ensure that its development and deployment is viewed more broadly through a community policing lens. This is a very welcome step as it is my strong view that the greatest dividend to be gained from the Reserve is in terms of a visible presence on the ground engaging with local communities.
The review will take cognisance of the changed environment in which the expanded Reserve will operate as the major reform programme that is underway is implemented. These reforms include the drive towards a medium term target of 20% civilians by 2021 to boost the management capacity of the organisation and to free up Gardaí to front-line policing duties, and also the phased implementation of the Divisional model of policing to enable resources to be deployed more efficiently to prevent and detect crime.
282. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the specific measures that have been undertaken to separate the security and intelligence provision of his Department from other divisions of his Department. [52051/17]
View answerThe Security and Northern Ireland Division of my Department deals with a range of policy and legal issues relating to security and counter terrorism, serious crime, public safety, North-South justice and security co-operation and measures to address the legacy of the troubles in Northern Ireland.
I can assure the Deputy that this Division of my Department is not separated from the others given that there is a wide range of issues on which integrated and cross-stream working across the Department’s Divisions and with a range of other stakeholders outside the Department is both desirable and necessary.
That said, I can also assure the Deputy that in respect of certain of the functions that are carried out by this Division, particular arrangements are in place to protect the security of information held and managed by that Division where restrictions on access to that information may be required by law, by the need to protect the vital interests of the State, by the need to protect the life and safety of individuals or to avoid adverse impacts on the prevention, investigation or prosecution of offences.
283. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of times he has met with officers of An Garda Síochána in the past six months in which divisions, geographically or otherwise, were discussed; and the dates the meetings took place. [52052/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not immediately to hand. I am having the information collated and I will revert to the Deputy in due course.
285. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason his Department did not provide full disclosure of all relevant documentation and emails to the disclosures tribunal; if all telephone calls and private emails have now been provided; and the way in which he is legally going to ensure that his Department fully complies with the disclosure orders from the tribunal. [52054/17]
View answerDiscovery orders were issued by the Tribunal to my Department in February, April and September. These orders were complied with fully and the relevant documents were forwarded to the Tribunal in February, May and September 2017.
The discovery orders concerned records of the O’Higgins Commission of Investigation, documents related to two cases which had been considered by the Independent Review Mechanism, a copy of a representation to the then Minister which referenced Sergeant McCabe, a report of a GSOC investigation into a complaint that a Garda investigation of an alleged serious assault was not properly carried out and records related to the allegation of contacts between the Gardaí and TUSLA in relation to Garda Keith Harrison.
The Department has also made voluntary disclosure of other matters including three protected disclosures, reports from the Garda Commissioner under section 41 of the Garda Síochána Act and, most recently, the two email threads that were uncovered following a trawl of documents in the Department. In acknowledging receipt of the emails, the Tribunal made reference to my Department's already extensive discovery which has allowed the Tribunal to place the current documents in context.
I am assured that in the event of further documents being located, that may be of relevance to the Tribunal's work, these will be furnished to the Tribunal. I would point out that, as the Deputy will be aware, the Taoiseach has announced that there will be an external examination of the way in which my Department fulfilled its obligations in relation to discovering documents to the Tribunal, to conclude before Christmas. That is a step I welcome.
I can assure the Deputy that any further Discovery Orders to be made by the Tribunal will also be complied with in full and the Tribunal has been assured of my full and ongoing support in that regard.
286. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the funding provided by her Department to each member of a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51430/17]
View answerMy Department has not provided funding to any of the groups identified by the Deputy.
