Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Sep 1999

Vol. 508 No. 1

Written Answers. - Missing Persons.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

762 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the further information or leads, if any, which have been uncovered in the case of a person (details supplied); if representatives of the local gardaí or Operation Trace have been in contact with the person's family in recent times to brief them on progress in the case; if he will step up the activity of this operation or increase the number of gardaí involved so that a fresh search of all of the land in the area can be undertaken; if he will outline the outside expertise used in this case to date; and if it is intended to call in outside expertise or agencies from other countries. [17884/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

As the Deputy will appreciate it is not possible, for operational reasons, to identify particular "leads" which may feature in a Garda investigation. I have been assured by the Garda authorities that gardaí involved with Operation TRACE have remained in contact with the family of the person referred to in the Deputy's question.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that very considerable Garda resources have been committed to this investigation and a number of experienced detective personnel are engaged, on a full time basis, in Operation TRACE which functions under the direction of an assistant commissioner. The Deputy will appreciate that it is not appropriate to detail the particular technologies or expertise that feature in an investigation of this nature.

I have been assured by the Garda authorities that all necessary resources have been and are being committed to the resolution of this particular investigation.