Vol. 513 No. 2
156 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will release to the legal representatives the results of the investigation into the hospital records of a person (details supplied) completed by a detective superintendent of the Garda Síochána and in the possession of the DPP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2037/00]
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the gardaí have notified the legal representatives of the person referred to that the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that no prosecution be taken in this case.
I understand that a voluntary request was made by this person's solicitors to the gardaí to release copies of statements/requests obtained during the course of the Garda investigation, which were required by them for the purpose of instigating civil proceedings against a hospital.
I am also informed that the gardaí informed the solicitors that they could not release the documents requested on a voluntary basis, as they had obtained them for the purpose of their investigation. I understand that the Deputy's office was in contact with the member in charge of the investigation, and was advised accordingly.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the DPP is independent in the discharge of his statutory duties, and it would not be appropriate for me to make any direction with regard to his office.
