Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
518. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to establish a model investigative team here equivalent to the historical enquiries team established in Northern Ireland in 2008 to examine previous crimes which were not investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15218/18]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that it is the Garda Commissioner and his management team who are responsible for the deployment of all Garda resources, including personnel, and I have no role is such matters. Similarly, investigations into all forms of criminality in our State, and the manner in which those investigations are carried out, is solely a matter for the Commissioner.
However, I have been advised by the Garda authorities that responsibility for the investigation of criminal offences (including homicide) resides with the Superintendent of the District wherein the offence was committed in the first instance.
The Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which operates under the command of the Assistant Commissioner, Special Crime Operations, holds a national investigative remit and is specialised in the area of major crime investigation and undertakes and supports investigations on the direction of the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána. The support provided includes utilising the expertise of the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) which was established in 2007 to provide independent review of historical investigations including homicide.
The purpose of a review conducted by SCRT is to assist the Senior Investigating Officer with the criminal investigation. Such review is an independent examination of evidence and other material, gathered during investigation and to ensure that it conforms to approved standards; that the investigation has been thorough; conducted with integrity and objectivity; and to identify further investigative opportunities.
Crime investigation is not a singular issue and other bureaux within Special Crime Operations, such as the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (major financial fraud), Garda Protective Services Bureau (child exploitation, sexual assault), Garda Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (illicit drugs trade), Garda National Immigration Bureau, Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau, Criminal Assets Bureau and the Garda National Technical Bureau support major investigations at a national level depending on the category of crime under investigation.
The investigation of terrorist related offences falls under the remit of the Special Detective Unit under the command of Assistant Commissioner Security and Intelligence. Other services within An Garda Síochána, such as the Garda Síochána Analysis Service, also provide support and assistance in the investigation and review of serious crime, as it has many features.
