Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Yes, I am satisfied RIA is the appropriate agency. During discussions on this issue with the Garda and other agencies, no major issues were raised regarding the use of RIA accommodation.

On the Deputy's question on the number of cases with the Director of Public Prosecutions, the figure is not provided on the file. Since the passing of the Act in June 2008, some 73 investigations have commenced.

On the criticisms in the US report, I raised this issue with a representative of the United States Embassy when I had an opportunity to do so. The report was somewhat unfair in that it was published shortly after the passing of the Act. To state there were no prosecutions under the Act when one must give the legislation-----

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