Vol. 496 No. 4
256 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current provision in relation to two way mirrors in Garda stations to facilitate the identification of suspects; the stations with this facility; the plans, if any, he has for extra provision of this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23164/98]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they do not have two way mirror facilities for the identification of suspects.
I should inform the Deputy that the Garda authorities have also informed me that the conduct of formal identification parades was the subject of review by them with the DPP recently. The procedure was updated to allow a witness to identify a suspect by means of pointing to the suspect's position in the parade and stating his or her position, or stating the number which has been assigned to the suspect. It is no longer necessary for a witness to approach and place his or her hand on the suspect's shoulder.
