Written answers
Thursday, 2 October 2008
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Garda Complaints Procedures
5:00 pm
Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the compensation or legal costs paid arising from claims against members of the Garda in respect of assault, illegal arrest and other reasons in respect of each year from 2002 to date in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32873/08]
Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested by the Deputy concerning the amounts paid out in Court awards and out of court settlements in relation to actions taken against members of An Garda Síochána relating to assault, unlawful arrest or other breaches of citizens' rights is set out in the table.
| Actions taken by Civilians against Gardaí —The number of cases settled/or awards made by the Courts are shown in brackets | |||||
| Year | Category of payment | Assault | Unlawful Arrest | Other | Overall Total |
| € | € | € | |||
| 2002 | Awards | 1,270 (1) | 3,809.21 (1) | 56,500 (2) | |
| Settlements | 166,924.48 (6) | 106,835.58 (10) | 185,078.82 (11) | ||
| Costs | 230,769.67 | 148,714.19 | 340,486.45 | ||
| Total | 398,964.15 | 259,358.98 | 582,065.27 | 1,240,388.40 | |
| 2003 | Awards | 11,000 (1) | 10,000 (2) | 4,870 (2) | |
| Settlements | 75,000 (4) | 303,011 (5) | 112,814.84 (4) | ||
| Costs | 145,561.70 | 71,794.28 | 542,075.73 | ||
| Total | 231,561.70 | 384,805.28 | 659,760.57 | 1,276,127.55 | |
| 2004 | Awards | 15,000 (1) | Nil | 3,215.06 (1) | |
| Settlements | 198,697.48 (5) | 73,007 (5) | 50,500 (3) | ||
| Costs | 231,646.62 | 100,019.36 | 266,713.57 | ||
| Total | 445,344.10 | 173,026.36 | 320,428.63 | 938,799.09 | |
| 2005 | Awards | 1,000.00 (1) | 2,025,321.00 (3) | 85,125.00 (2) | |
| Settlements | 130,250.00 (7) | 1,569,114.00 (9) | 58,000 (2) | ||
| Costs | 137,447.90 (10) | 658,508.78 (10) | 205,466.85 (15) | ||
| Total | 268,697.90 | 4,252,943.78 | 348,591.85 | 4,870,233.53 | |
| 2006 (Provisional) | Awards | 18,076.32 (1) | 41,443.80 (3) | Nil | |
| Settlements | 386,200.00 (17) | 622,000 (15) | 606,500.00 (8) | ||
| Costs | 187,797.28 (11) | 60,983.61 (10) | 28,983.93 (3) | ||
| Total | 592,073.60 | 724,427.41 | 635,483.93 | 1,951,984.94 | |
| 2007 (Provisional) | Awards | 97,500.00 (2) | Nil | 5,246,047.00 (4) | |
| Settlements | 238,000.00 (8) | 1,297,000.00 (10) | 4,451,000.00 (34) | ||
| Costs | 485,944.95 (10) | 1,488,193.20 (9) | 1,125,597.19 (29) | ||
| Total | 821,444.95 | 2,785,193.20 | 10,822,644.19 | 14,429,282.34 | |
| 2008 (Provisional) to 22/9/08 | Awards | 12,500 (1) | 5,500 (1) | 12,500 (1) | |
| Settlements | 468,000 (13) | 46,024.34 (4) | 383,657.58 (16) | ||
| Costs | 673,500.90 (12) | 650,968.42 (14) | 994,529.42 (14) | ||
| Total | 1,154,000.90 | 702,492.76 | 1,390,687.00 | 3,247,180.66 |
Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the changes he proposes to make to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32795/08]
Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission will continue to operate a broad remit in respect of the nature of the complaints which it investigates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32796/08]
Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 94 together.
As I indicated in my Reply to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 8 July 2008, the amendments to the Garda Síochána Act 2005 which are contemplated were set out in detail in two published reports of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission which were laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 1 May 2008. Under the proposed changes, the Ombudsman Commission would be empowered to deal with complaints in the way it considers most appropriate, including by direct investigation. The aim of the proposals is to promote greater effectiveness in the use of the Commission's resources in the light of its experience to date. I am currently finalising my consideration of these issues and will bring proposals to Government in the near future.
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