Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 February 2017
105. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 102 of 25 January 2017, the reason the question of her seeking to have the Pitchford inquiry's terms of reference extended such that Ireland is included in that inquiry does not arise (details supplied). [6397/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my previous answers to a number of recent Questions on this issue. As I have stated previously, the UK's Undercover Policing Inquiry was established by the UK Government in 2015 to investigate and to report on the undercover police operations conducted by English and Welsh police forces in England and Wales since 1968. It is chaired by Lord Justice Pitchford. As the Deputy will appreciate, the establishment of the inquiry and its terms of reference were and are matters solely for the UK Government in accordance with UK law. It is my understanding that representations seeking the extension of the inquiry's terms of reference outside England and Wales were made and the UK Home Secretary decided that the terms of reference of the inquiry would not be so amended.
While the issue of my requesting the extension of a UK inquiry does not arise, as I have indicated to the House previously should anything emerge from the findings of the UK's Undercover Policing Inquiry that would be relevant to policing in this jurisdiction I will consider it fully and take any action that may be required.
