Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for his congratulations on the victory of Oulart-The Ballagh. Although it is not my local club, I have a personal interest in its fortunes because my nephew, Barry Kehoe, is the captain. I hope he and his team mates are victorious against Na Piarsaigh in February and go on to bring an all-Ireland title back to Wexford.

On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, who is in Brussels this morning, I thank the Senator for raising this matter. The Garda authorities have informed the Minister that the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Anastasija, or Anna, Varslavane remains entirely focused within this jurisdiction. Should the need arise to engage with the Latvian law enforcement authorities in respect of the investigation, that will be advanced through Europol channels. Under mutual legal assistance provisions, a judicial authority in one state may seek the assistance of the authorities in another state in obtaining evidence required in the course of a criminal investigation of criminal proceedings. The Minister is informed by the Garda authorities that the missing persons bureau has been conducting a full review of its existing policies with a view to ensuring the force's policies and procedures are in line with international best practice and that missing person incidents are afforded the best possible policing response. The review is ongoing and includes a consultation process with partner agencies concerned with missing persons.

The third national Missing Persons Day was hosted by the Minister yesterday, 2 December 2015, at Farmleigh in Dublin. The inaugural day was held on 4 December 2013 and, since then, has been developed into an annual campaign with a number of objectives. It commemorates those who have gone missing and recognises the ongoing suffering of their families and friends. It also serves to raise public awareness of open or unsolved missing persons cases and provides a platform to highlight the support services available to people who have lost a loved one.

Last month, the Minister announced the commencement of DNA legislation allowing for the launch of a new state-of-the-art DNA database system. The database became operational on 20 November and is based in Forensic Science Ireland in the Phoenix Park. The new database will assist An Garda Síochána in finding and identifying missing or unknown people. A missing and unknown persons index will hold the DNA profiles developed from biological samples relating to missing persons, which come, for example, from their clothing. It will also hold profiles from their close blood relatives, with the consent of those relatives, who will have similar DNA. The DNA legislation also provides for the exchange of DNA profiles of missing or unknown persons with law enforcement authorities in other jurisdictions. The database will, therefore, facilitate searches for missing or unknown persons abroad as well as in Ireland.

The Senator asked about the possibly of representatives of the Latvian authorities being invited to Ireland to speak with gardaí about the ongoing investigation into this case. I will convey that request directly to the Minister, who will, in turn, pass it on to the Garda Commissioner. If any member of the public has information concerning the case, I encourage him or her to bring it to the Garda. It is very sad for any family to have a loved one missing.