Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 501: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to protect the identities of witnesses and victims at identification parades through the installation of one-way glass in Garda stations. [19329/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The current procedure used by the Garda Síochána, which was introduced following advice from the Law Officers, involves each participant in an identity parade being assigned a number. To ensure there is no doubt as to the person the victim or witness has identified, it is necessary that a clear identification is made. This may be done in a number of ways, including pointing at or stating the position or number of a person on the line-up. Prior to this the procedure necessitated the witness or victim placing their hand on the person as part of the identification process. The installation of one-way mirrors in Garda stations for identification parades including the practical issues such as suitable locations within stations is being examined by the Garda authorities.