Written answers

Wednesday, 22 April 2009

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Garda Ombudsman Commission Report

10:00 pm

Photo of Joanna TuffyJoanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps taken in respect of the report of the Garda Ombudsman Commission following the death of a person (details supplied) and in particular the recommendations in the report that require action by the Garda Síochána or the Garda Commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14265/09]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The report and recommendations referred to relate to the alleged leaking of official material from Garda sources to the media relating to a deceased person. The full text of the Ombudsman Commission's report in relation to this matter is available on its website.

The report recommends to the Garda Commissioner that supervisory ranks of An Garda Síochána should regularly monitor the use of PULSE to ensure that members adhere to their legal and disciplinary obligations with regard to its proper use. The Ombudsman Commission also recommends that suitable measures be put in place by the Garda authorities to ensure audit trails of the usage of PULSE and any other official information systems can always be accurate and verifiable.

With regard to Pulse, An Garda Síochána have detailed procedures and instructions in place on the operation of the Pulse system. The Pulse system incorporates an accurate audit system which records all record creations and updates made on the system. The audit record includes the date and time when the update on the system took place and contains details of the user signed onto the system at that time. Audit-trails also record all inquires made on the core items of interest on the PULSE system including Person and Vehicle. Audit records are written at the time the associated transaction took place. These audit records can only be accessed centrally and are not available or visible to the users.

In response to the report, a review to consider the matters raised and identify options for enhanced usage of the PULSE Audit data in respect of the monitoring of data access has been conducted by the Gardaí. Specific proposals in this regard have been formulated and are presently under consideration by senior Garda management. Under these proposals an 'Exception activity level report' and related business process has been advanced which will highlight to Garda Management specific PULSE records which are subject to a high level of data access activity occurring within a defined period. This new functionality will be included in the next major release of PULSE.

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