I propose to take Questions Nos. 1399 and 1400 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) is Ireland's national statistical office and its purpose is to impartially collect, analyse and make available statistics about Ireland’s population, society and economy. Their specific mandate under the Statistics Act 1993 is the collection, compilation, extraction and dissemination for statistical purposes of information relating to economic, social and general activities and conditions in the State.
The CSO is also responsible for the collection and publication of crime statistics, and for reviewing data quality for the purpose of compilation of those statistics. As Minister for Justice, I play no role in these independent functions.
The operational review of crime statistics, at a national and regional level, is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). Again, I play no role in these independent functions.