Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 47 together.

I wish to thank the Deputies for raising this issue. An Garda Síochána continues to work with the CSO to resolve an issue which emerged regarding the classification of homicide offences.  The expert oversight by the CSO of crime statistics is welcome in order to ensure that we can have confidence in the official crime statistics and can tailor our policies accordingly.

The Deputies will be aware that when a homicide occurs, the offence may be classified as murder, manslaughter or violent death.  My understanding is that an issue emerged due to the fact that the classification of a crime may change as investigations evolve, for example, a murder charge may ultimately lead to a manslaughter conviction in the courts or an assault causing harm may subsequently result in a death some time later, necessitating a reclassification to murder or manslaughter.

I want to clarify that the issue about the classification of homicide statistics is not new.  It was identified some time ago by the Garda and intensive work has been ongoing to resolve the issue.  This work involves An Garda Síochána, the Policing Authority, the CSO and my Department.

An Garda Síochána initiated a review of homicide classifications, initially for the period 2013 to 2015, but later extended the review to cover the period 2003 to 2017.  This is obviously a time consuming and complex process but it is important that both An Garda Síochána and the CSO are confident that their data is robust and accurate.  While the review is under way, the CSO has suspended the publication of quarterly crime statistics, with the most recent published figures being for quarter 4 2016. The review by An Garda Síochána has not been published as it is not yet complete, however, the details will be made public on completion.

I am extremely concerned about reports that unlawful deaths have not been properly investigated.  Any substantiated allegations of this kind would be most serious and a cause of grave public concern.  The issue that has arisen in respect of homicide classification is complex and it is essential to clarify it in such a way as the facts can be clearly established.

I have not received any protected disclosures or allegations that unlawful killings have not been investigated and Garda management is adamant that all unlawful killings are investigated.  I have seen no evidence to the contrary but I have asked An Garda Síochána for further formal assurances in this regard.

While I note that a figure of 41 deaths requiring reclassification has been mentioned in public discourse, that is not correct. An Garda Síochána has advised that its examination of 524 cases for the period 2013 to 2015 identified 41 cases which required further examination and, out of those, 12 deaths were identified which required reclassification on PULSE. In addition, a further peer review process of verification is under way in respect of these figures, as requested by the Policing Authority.

I want to assure the House that the Policing Authority continues to monitor this issue to ensure there is independent scrutiny of how An Garda Síochána records data. I welcome its continued diligence in this matter.

I also note the statement made by the authority last week indicating these issues will be considered again at the authority’s meeting with the acting Garda Commissioner, which will be held in public on 22 February. In advance of the meeting, my officials and I will meet representatives from the Policing Authority and An Garda Síochána tomorrow to discuss progress on this issue to date. I also discussed the issue with the acting Garda Commissioner yesterday in the course of one of our more general meetings. I assure Members the Department remains in close contact with the Central Statistics Office, CSO, An Garda Síochána and the Policing Authority to ensure a return to the publication of official crime statistics by the CSO at the earliest possible opportunity.

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