Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
61. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure in his Department for logging all contact and communications with senior management in An Garda Síochána; if procedures have changed in recent times; and if so, when and the way in which this happened. [16447/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecords management procedures in my Department are aimed at ensuring that, whatever their provenance, letters/emails receive appropriate attention; any decisions taken, particularly by the Minister or the Secretary General, are recorded; and minutes are taken of meetings. However, officials throughout my Department have very frequent contact with An Garda Síochána in line with the Department's responsibilities under the Garda Síochána Acts and the Deputy will understand that it would not be practicable to log all such contacts.
The external review conducted by Mr Michael Collins, S.C. of my Department's discovery of documents to the Disclosures Tribunal. Mr Collins identified certain shortcomings arising from, in particular, the filing of electronic communications and these are being addressed. A civil service-wide project is underway in relation to electronic file management and this will help to ensure that electronic documents, including emails, can more easily be associated with relevant files. In the context of preparing for the introduction of this new system, the Department's procedures are currently under review.
