Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2024
291. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 1 February 2024, the number of cases that were unsuccessful in meeting the threshold required by the Office of the Chief State Solicitor to progress to prosecution, broken down by county for each of the years 2019-2023. [9223/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCases such as referred to in Question No. 290 of 1 February 2024 are prosecuted on behalf of my Department by the Office of the Chief State Solicitor with instruction from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department. NPWS exercise due diligence in preparing a case file for the Chief State Solicitors Office and work closely with that Office to progress matters.
Taking a file from reporting and investigative stage through to successful prosecution can be a lengthy process, involving interviews with potential witnesses and the gathering of evidence. There are some scenarios where a file may not proceed, such as if it becomes statute barred due to the elapse of time and a prosecution cannot be taken.
Whether or not a prosecution is ultimately successful is a matter for the Courts.
