John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 738: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress in the search for a missing person (details supplied); if Operation Trace has completed its investigation; if new information was uncovered by this investigation; if the search is ongoing; if so, the guise under which it is so; the number of officers or gardaí trained to date under the Jerry McCabe fellowship, John Jay College, New York; if this training is ongoing; if officers or gardaí have been trained at the international centre for exploited and missing children; if the services of this organisation have been availed of; if a dedicated missing persons unit will be set up based on an American or European model of best practise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1261/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that a review of the investigation into the case of the missing person referred to is taking place at present and that the review is not completed yet. I also understand from the Garda authorities that Operation Trace is ongoing and any new matter coming to light is fully investigated by personnel from the national bureau of criminal investigations.

The McCabe fellowship foundation was established in 1996 and provides for the regular exchange of personnel from the Garda Síochána with the New York police department. To date 45 participants from the Garda Síochána and 22 from the New York police department have completed the exchange programme. The programme is based on a two week period and provides for opportunities to identify best practice in relation to policing requirements for the two organisations. Since it's foundation three gardaí have completed an MA in criminology and one completed an MA in forensic psychology at John Jay College, New York.

The Garda missing persons bureau has responsibility for the compilation and updating of data relating to missing persons, along with the administration of the Irish missing children's website —www.missingkids.ie— launched in September, 2004 in association with the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.

The establishment of a national missing persons unit has been proposed on previous occasions and the matter is kept under ongoing review by the Garda authorities. At present, local Garda management take direct responsibility for missing person cases. Special investigation teams, for example, the national bureau of criminal investigation or the technical bureau are called upon if deemed necessary.

The Garda authorities have assured me that every effort is made to locate all missing persons and that they consider the current procedures for dealing with missing persons to be adequate.