Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I start by expressing my sympathy to the members of the O'Farrell family on their desperately sad loss. Shane was clearly a wonderful son and brother with a bright future ahead of him and I know his loss is felt acutely by all those who had the great benefit of knowing him. As the Deputy will be aware, retired District Court Judge Gerard Haughton was appointed by the then Minister for Justice, Deputy Charles Flanagan, in 2019 to carry out a scoping exercise in light of the public controversy and concern surrounding the circumstances of Shane's tragic death. The purpose of the scoping exercise was to advise whether any further investigation or inquiry beyond those already carried out was necessary and, if so, to advise on the form of such investigation or inquiry and its terms of reference.

Judge Haughton submitted his final report to the Minister, Deputy McEntee. Since receipt of the final report, the advice of the Attorney General was sought and has been received in relation to the issue of publication of that report and other matters arising. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, wrote to each Department and agency responsible for issues giving rise to recommendations in the report and in July last year the O’Farrell family was provided with a copy of the report on a strictly confidential basis. I understand that the Minister, Deputy McEntee, together with the then Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin, met with members of the O’Farrell family late last year regarding the report, both in terms of its content and issues regarding the publication of the report.

Obviously, I have taken up office in recent weeks. I am currently considering this important report myself and I intend to decide shortly on how best to proceed. I will, of course, then convey that decision to the O'Farrell family and seek Government approval or noting of the way in which I intend to proceed.

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