Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in order to ensure full human rights compliance and to prevent further abuse and in view of the high cost to the taxpayer of Garda abuse recently highlighted in media reports, he will arrange for the regulations governing the treatment of persons in Garda custody to be reviewed and human rights proofed and updated. [22514/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The need to human rights proof Garda policies is fully accepted by Garda management and the organisation has been particularly proactive in that regard.

A Human Rights audit has been conducted and the findings of this audit and the associated action plan are currently being implemented under the supervision of the Strategic Human Rights Advisory Committee which is chaired by an Assistant Commissioner and includes a representative from the Irish Human Rights Commission.

In addition, the Garda Síochána are currently engaged in a pilot process with the Honorable Society of the Kings Inns to progress the Human Rights proofing of Garda policies and to develop relevant protocols.

In addition of course the new more streamlined Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 214 of 2007) became effective on 1st June 2007 and have been in full operation since that date.

Finally, the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 (Treatment of Persons in Custody Regulations) strongly affirm the human rights of detained persons and were most recently amended in 2006. As the Deputy may be aware, under the Criminal Justice Act 1984 regulations on the treatment of persons in custody in Garda stations must be approved in advance by both Houses of the Oireachtas.