Bríd Smith
Ceist:341. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the case of a person (details supplied) is one of those cases that may have been classified incorrectly on the Garda PULSE system. [12373/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 20 March 2018
Ceisteanna (341)
Freagraí scríofa
As I have previously advised the House, An Garda Síochána is working in conjunction with the Central Statistics Office (CSO) to resolve an issue which was identified by An Garda Síochána in relation to the classification of homicide offences. The expert oversight by the CSO of crime statistics in line with best international practice ensures that the public can have confidence in the data which informs the development of effective policies by my department.
An Garda Síochána initiated a review of homicide classifications, initially for the period 2013-2015 but later extended the review to cover the period from 2003-2017.
This is obviously a complex process which takes considerable time but it is important that both An Garda Síochána and the CSO are confident that their data is robust and accurate. While the review is underway, the CSO has suspended the publication of quarterly crime statistics, with the most recent published figures being for Q4 2016. I am informed that the review team includes two experts from the Garda Síochána Analysis Service (GSAS) who appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality recently. The review is not yet complete, however the details will be made public by AGS on completion.
I have already outlined my concern about reports that unlawful deaths were not properly investigated. Any substantiated allegations of this kind would be very serious and a cause of serious public concern. The issue that has arisen in respect of homicide classification is complex and it is essential to clearly establish the facts.
On 5 February last, in the course of a wide ranging meeting with An Garda Síochána on policing issues, I was briefed on the issue by the Acting Commissioner and his Senior team, including the head of the Garda Síochána Analysis Service. I subsequently met the Chair and CEO of the Policing Authority together with senior Garda management to discuss the progress made to date in resolving this issue and progress yet to be made. I strongly underlined the need to have matters addressed on an urgent priority basis, while acknowledging the labour intensive complex work involved in cases stretching back over many years. An Garda Síochána outlined the methodology of the peer review, and other aspects of the ongoing process, to the Policing Authority at their last public meeting on 22 February 2018.
I continue to support the Authority’s important work in relation to this matter and I understand that this issue will continue to be examined both in public meetings and in the ongoing work that takes place in between such meetings until the Authority is fully satisfied. This oversight is appropriate and welcome, as the Policing Authority was established by the Government as an independent body to oversee the performance of An Garda Síochána in relation to policing services in Ireland. Its key objective is to promote trust and confidence in policing and to help shape policing services for Ireland in the future. I have full confidence in the ability of the Authority to do the work with which they are tasked.
With regard to the specific case referred to by the Deputy, I have requested a report from the Garda authorities on the matter and I will revert to her directly when a response has been received.