Departmental Investigations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021

Wednesday, 5 May 2021

Questions (685)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

685. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to instances in which investigative staff in his Department have had access to records restricted in 2021; the number of active investigations that have court dates due in May and June 2021; and if his attention has been further drawn to the risk these cases may fail in view of the fact special grade Departmental staff do not have access to all of the pertinent information for the upcoming court cases. [22786/21]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The number of active investigations across the full range of the Department's functions that have Court dates in May and June is 12. The Department takes any risk that cases might fail seriously. To that end, it is important that investigative staff who require any records for the purpose of giving evidence in Court should ensure they identify and request the records in question well in advance of the court date.

While no investigative staff have had access to records restricted in 2021, some staff who might be required to give evidence in court but have moved to new work areas, would have had access to the files of their former work area restricted, as is consistent with best practice in data management and in accordance with GDPR Regulations. In these cases, it is expected that investigators should liaise with the relevant Division to ensure that they are fully prepared for court. This arrangement has operated satisfactorily to date.