Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 316: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in relation to his announcement of 11 March 2008 regarding the appointment of a confidential recipient under Garda Whistleblower Regulations, the promised charter under the 2007 regulations has been finalised by the Garda Commissioner; if the charter has been published; if the confidential recipient has taken up their duties; the location of the Office of the Confidential Recipient; the staff and resources made available to the Confidential Recipient; the steps taken to promote awareness of the functions of the Confidential Recipient within the force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28042/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Síochána (Corruption or Malpractice) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 168 of 2007) were made in April 2007. They allow for civilian employees as well as sworn members of An Garda Síochána to make confidential reports on any corruption or malpractice of which they become aware.

Before confidential reports can be made, the regulations require the Garda Commissioner to establish a Charter. The Commissioner has submitted a Charter to me which I have approved. The Commissioner has circulated the Charter to all Garda members and civilian employees who may make confidential reports in accordance with it.

Mr. Brian McCarthy was appointed as a Confidential Recipient by my predecessor in March 2008. He will provide a point outside the Garda Síochána to which confidential reports may be made. Mr. McCarthy has the assistance of 4 staff working with him on a part-time basis from within the existing Civil Service staffing complement. Since his appointment Mr. McCarthy has been working on preparing his office to commence taking reports.

The Garda Commissioner has also appointed nine internal Confidential Recipients at Chief Superintendent and senior civilian manager level. As the Confidential Reporting Charter is intended for the use of Garda members and civilian employees only, it is not proposed to publish it. The contact details of the Confidential Recipients are contained in the Charter. For operational reasons I do not propose to make public these details or the locations of the offices of the Confidential Recipients. It should be noted that any member of the public or other person who wishes to report on corruption or malpractice in An Garda Síochána may do so to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.