Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The practice of taking handwritten notes while also having the interviews videotaped is part of the preparation for bringing a prosecution to court. My Department and the Garda Síochána are working with the Director of Public Prosecutions on the requirements regarding the type of evidence that is acceptable in a prosecution. Even though every interview is videotaped, it is still important, in order to present evidence in court, to have a written synopsis of a witness's statement. On the basis of the entitlement of every person to a fair trial, the Garda must err on the side of caution in terms of how a case is presented. That is done on the basis of the requirements and directions of the DPP.

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