Dáil debates
Tuesday, 7 July 2015
Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions
Garda Investigations
2:45 pm
Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source
I welcome the Deputy's point regarding the importance of the relationship between the Garda Síochána and Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. Both sides have work to do regarding complaints, and they must work together.
On the Deputy's question concerning the point at which persons under investigation should be informed of the outcome of the investigation, this is a complex issue. As it arises in the case we are discussing, I would prefer to leave any further comment on the matter to the inquiry being conducted by the Supreme Court judge. It may well be one of the issues addressed in the report of the inquiry, although I do not know one way or another whether that is the case. As it is a possibility, I will await the findings of the report.
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission clearly took a particular approach to this issue. In cases involving a death, GSOC prefers to await the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions before giving the information to a person under investigation, given the possibility that the DPP will arrive at a different decision.
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