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

I am informed by An Garda Síochána, indeed the public has been informed by An Garda Síochána, that the scale of the problem only became clear when they had the full figures of their own audit, just a few weeks ago, and these figures were compared with the database. The database had always been available, and one of the points I would make is that there should have been much closer liaison in respect of the national statistics. If the Garda had been collecting them, that would have dealt with this issue much earlier. However, that was not happening then. I would point out to the Deputy that when Assistant Commissioner Twomey wrote to the Department in June 2016, it is clear that the Garda authorities were clearly concerned because at that point they said they were moving to a national audit. That audit continues. In the letter, it was made very clear that the Garda authorities were concerned and that was why they were taking action in respect of the discrepancies that had come to their attention. I presume, at that stage, they were putting together the information from the southern region plus the information from the medical bureau. They did say they were moving to a national audit.

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