James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Deputies for their contributions this evening. Like them, I express my deepest sympathies to the O'Farrell family on the loss of Shane. As the Minister has already said, the Government will not be opposing this motion. To assist the Government in considering the Haughton report, the Minister is going to write to the Joint Committee on Justice to ask it to look at its recommendations and conclusions. I thank Judge Haughton, who carried out a very thorough review of all relevant material and produced a detailed final report that runs to some 416 pages. Having fully engaged with each and every issue raised by or on behalf of the family, the judge concludes that no further investigation or inquiry is warranted above and beyond those already carried out. Many important recommendations were made in the report concerning bail and suspended sentences legislation, amendments to the Road Traffic Acts and in relation to notices of appeal as administered by the Courts Service. I confirm that these are being implemented.

The O'Farrell family has also raised the issue of the whereabouts of the person driving the car that killed Shane. Inquiries have been made with An Garda Síochána and I am informed that there is no evidence that person has entered the State since the expiry of the ten-year exclusion order in 2023. The force will continue to keep this matter under review.

Finally, I assure colleagues that I am assured that at all times the Minister, Deputy McEntee, has acted on the advice of the Attorney General and has acted in good faith.

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