Matt Carthy
Question:33. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if she has received the scoping report into the death of a person (details supplied); and the actions that she intends to take on foot of that report. [51969/22]
View answerThursday, 20 October 2022
Questions (33, 55, 59)
Bríd Smith
Question:55. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date into any developments on an independent inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52421/22]
View answerMatt Carthy
Question:59. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if she intends to establish an independent public inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied), as previously agreed by both Houses of the Oireachtas. [51968/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 55 and 59 together.
In February 2019, retired District Court Judge Gerard Haughton was appointed by the then Minister for Justice and Equality to carry out a scoping exercise in light of the public controversy surrounding the circumstances of the death of Shane O'Farrell.
The purpose of the scoping exercise was to advise the Minister as to whether any further investigation or inquiry beyond those already carried out was necessary and, if so, to advise on the form of such investigation or inquiry and its terms of reference.
Judge Haughton submitted his final report to me on 1 June 2022. Since receipt of the final report, the advice of the Attorney General was sought and received in relation to the issue of publication and other matters arising.
I have written to each Department/Agency responsible for issues giving rise to recommendations in the Report and on 27 July I provided the O’Farrell family with an advance copy of the report on a strictly confidential basis.
I hope to conclude shortly my deliberations in relation to the report and on how best to proceed in the light of its recommendations and the legal advice received.