Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received communication from the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission regarding a possible public interest inquiry into the circumstances in which serious drug charges were dropped against a person (details supplied); if the internal Garda inquiry into the same affair has been concluded; if he has received a report from the Gardaí on their inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40170/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have previously informed the House that I have received an interim report from the Garda Commissioner on a particular case involving a convicted drug dealer. I am awaiting a full report from the Commissioner as soon as certain inquiries he was having undertaken have been completed.

The House will also be aware that I agreed to a request from the Garda Commissioner that the interim report provided to me should be forwarded to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. The Ombudsman Commission has indicated that they have opened an investigation relating to the case. The Ombudsman Commission are well placed to look into all aspects of this case and to establish the full facts. There is on-going communication between An Garda Síochána and the Ombudsman Commission in relation to this case.

I believe that, in all the circumstances, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment about the case pending the outcome of that investigation. If any action is required on my part as a result of that investigation then, of course, I will take it.