Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am aware, as is the Taoiseach, of the very tragic details of the death of Shane and the sequence of events that led to it. Clearly, as far as the family is concerned, they involved a very wide variety of bodies. There are allegations in the case relating to the courts and the DPP. I have said frequently on this case and more generally that the courts are independent under the Constitution. Clearly it would be wrong to interfere in any way and unconstitutional to seek to interfere with the courts or their decisions. Likewise, the DPP is an independent office. We have to recognise it was established as the independent prosecution authority in the State. Nobody is above the law. If anybody has evidence of wrongdoing, they should always bring it to attention. There is a GSOC investigation under way. The case was referred by my predecessor to GSOC and the investigation has not concluded. We would like to see that investigation concluded as soon as possible. We will certainly review the situation again. There is a civil action as well that is being initiated against the State in respect of issues raised in the complaint. I hope the Deputy understands the situation at present.

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