Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 375: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to allegations by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary that they have been subjected to Garda intimidation and abuse over a period of time; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that even though he does not drink he is stopped regularly on grounds of drink driving and asked to produce his driving licence and insurance in the local Garda station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38730/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the person in question has been asked to produce his driving licence and certificate of insurance at his local Garda station on four occasions in the past two years. Complaints have been made by the person in question on many occasions when he has been in contact with the Garda. These complaints have been, or are currently being, investigated by either the Garda authorities or the Garda Síochána Complaints Board. No Garda wrongdoing has been found to date. Investigations in some complaints are still ongoing.

In one instance when the person in question was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, the investigation file was submitted to the law officers, who directed no prosecution. This incident is being investigated by the Garda authorities to establish the circumstances of the arrest.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the publication of the Garda human rights audit in March 2005; the steps An Garda Síochána has taken to implement its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38731/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The final report of the Garda human rights audit was publicly launched in March 2005 and is available on the Garda website, www.garda.ie. I fully support the Commissioner in commissioning and publishing the Garda human rights audit which identifies certain shortcomings in respect of the force in an open and transparent manner. The audit focuses on: the need for An Garda Síochána to further underpin its good relations with the public by developing enhanced consultation contacts with it; increased progress in securing the rights of staff; human rights compliance at both corporate and operational levels; and deducing from the evidence available to it the presence of institutional racism in the organisation.

The Commissioner fully accepts and has committed to act upon the 15 recommendations contained in the report. An action plan has been devised to give effect to the recommendations. The five priority areas in the action plan are: developing and underpinning comprehensive human rights ethos and structure in An Garda Síochána; accountability framework for human rights policing; policing in a diverse community; staff engagement, training and development; and community engagement, involvement and partnership.

I am further informed that each of the recommendations will be introduced on a phased basis and will be in place by 31 December 2007. The assistant commissioner, human resource management, has been appointed in accordance with recommendation three of the action plan to monitor, oversee and ensure the implementation of all aspects of the report. Progress to date includes: establishment of a strategic human rights advisory committee to support the Commissioner and senior managers of An Garda Síochána; generic human rights training of all trainers; and training in human rights awareness, which has begun for all senior managers from Commissioner to chief superintendent rank.