Garda Disciplinary Proceedings

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2019

Wednesday, 6 March 2019

Questions (132)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

132. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda officers by rank who are subject to official disciplinary action over the misuse of the PULSE computer system and other information systems with An Garda Síochána from 1 January 2018 to date in 2019; the number of civilian staff by grade who are subject to official disciplinary action over the misuse of the PULSE computer system and other information systems with the force from 1 January 2018 to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10978/19]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy will appreciate, disciplinary matters within An Garda Síochána are governed by the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007 and are a matter for the Garda Commissioner.

I am advised by the Commissioner that no Garda Staff (civilian) were subject to official disciplinary action over the misuse of the PULSE computer system and other information systems within An Garda Síochána from 1 January 2018 to 5 March 2019.

I am further advised that in the year 2018, the discipline section at Internal Affairs, Garda Headquarters opened 15 discipline investigation files regarding Garda members, all of Garda rank, which relate to the alleged misuse of the Garda PULSE system.  As of 5th March, 2019, three of these files have since been closed as the Garda members were found not to be in breach of discipline.

In the current year up to 5 March 2019, the discipline section at Internal Affairs, Garda Headquarters, has opened four discipline investigation files regarding members of Garda rank which relate to the alleged misuse of the Garda PULSE system.