Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 242: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to the payment of over €1.3 million to 27 suspended gardaí when he sought and received the report; the steps he proposes to take to ensure that significant delays are avoided in the future regarding Garda disciplinary cases in respect of the report from the Garda Commissioner. [37076/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have previously expressed my concerns regarding the lengthy suspension of certain members of the Garda Síochána. I am very concerned that lengthy court proceedings lie behind particular cases of lengthy suspension, and I am examining whether strict maximum time limits for suspension can be introduced in statutory regulations.

In my reply to Question No. 28 of 20 October 2005, I mentioned that I had asked the Garda Commissioner to furnish me with a report outlining what steps have been taken in the management of these cases to resolve, one way or another, the legal proceedings which have prevented the completion of the disciplinary process. I also asked the Commissioner for his views on how best to ensure, as far as possible, that significant delays are avoided in future disciplinary cases.

I have received a report from the Garda Commissioner in the above matter. I am studying the report carefully to consider what steps need to be taken to address this issue of concern, and I will shortly be consulting further with the Garda Commissioner on these steps.