Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he received correspondence in July 2008 from a person (details supplied) in County Dublin regarding grievances concerning the investigation and resolution of a complaint against the gardaí; the avenues of redress available in a case such as this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37344/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that correspondence has been received from the person to whom the Deputy refers and that the letter in question forms part of that correspondence. I can also confirm that all of the correspondence was returned to the complainant at his own request.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is the statutory body charged with the independent oversight of policing in this jurisdiction. In this case it would appear from the correspondence which was received in my Department that whilst the Ombudsman Commission considered the person's complaint it did not consider that there was good reason to extend the six month time limit in order to process it — as it is empowered to do under section 84(2) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. I am afraid that it is not open to me as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to intervene with the Commission on any case.