Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 81: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received a response from the Garda Commissioner to the copy sent to him of the Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Dean Lyons case; if disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against the Gardaí involved in the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12928/07]

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 82: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action taken on foot of the report of the Commission of Investigation in the Dean Lyons case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12927/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 82 together.

I published the Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Dean Lyons case on 1 September 2006. I sent a copy of the Report to the Garda Commissioner for his consideration. An Assistant Commissioner has been appointed to assess the impact of the recommendations of the report for An Garda Síochána with a view to recommending remedial action where necessary. This assessment is ongoing and a report is expected to be submitted shortly.

I also sent a copy to the Expert Group which I established in the light of concerns arising from the Dean Lyons case. The Group will be reporting to me on the adequacy of Garda training, protocols, regulations and procedures, in assessing the fitness of persons to be interviewed and on the recording of any bona fide reservations of an individual member of a Garda investigation team as to the truthfulness or accuracy of self-incriminating statements. The work of the Expert Group is still ongoing. I have already stated publicly that I will publish the report of the Group.