I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 to 169, inclusive, 188, 203 and 204 together.
A number of serious allegations that had been raised with me in correspondence previously in respect of a tragic incident that took place at Omeath in October 2015 were aired publicly in a recent television programme. The House will understand the need for sensitivity in respect of those who have suffered greatly as a result of that incident.
It is important that the truth of those allegations, insofar as they relate to any action or inaction on the part of members of An Garda Síochána, should be established and there are ongoing processes, set out in law, to do just that.
The concerns that had been raised with me were, in all cases, brought quickly to the attention of, and pursued with, the Garda Authorities in the context of the ongoing investigation and review processes into the events at Omeath and related matters. I expect to receive a final report from the Garda Authorities addressing these matters when the investigation and review are completed.
I was aware also that certain relevant matters had been brought to the attention of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. On 21 April 2017 the Ombudsman Commission indicated publicly that it had decided to initiate a public interest investigation into these matters in accordance with its statutory powers under the Garda Síochána Acts 2005-2015. The Ombudsman Commission has indicated also that its public interest investigation will take place alongside the ongoing investigation of complaints made previously. I understand that these investigations will encompass the issues that Deputies have raised in their Questions.
The Deputies will agree it is essential that the Ombudsman Commission’s investigations must be allowed to take their course in order that the truth or otherwise of allegations made can be established independently and in accordance with the law and, indeed, to identify anything that might be learned from those events. In that context there are no plans to establish a further form of inquiry at this time.
While it would not be appropriate for me to go into the detail of allegations made, I would make the point that for obvious reasons of safety and security it has been the long-standing practice of my predecessors not to comment publicly on whether any person was or was not a Garda informant. I do not propose to depart from that practice.
The House will understand also that it is a fundamental aspect of our criminal justice system that decisions in relation to preferring charges in individual cases are solely a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions who acts independently in doing so. The Office of the DPP is uniquely well-placed, with the relevant expertise, to make a determination as to what convictions are likely to be secured on the basis of the assessment of the evidence presented and in the light of all relevant legal provisions.