Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the remarks by a judge (details supplied) that he could not understand the reason an international arrest warrant has not been served on a solicitor who fled Ireland having defrauded their clients of money; if he proposes to raise the issue of an international arrest warrant with the Garda Commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13308/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I have no function in relation to the application for the issue of a European Arrest Warrant. This is a matter for the Garda authorities in consultation with the Director of Public Prosecutions. Under the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003, as amended, a court may, upon application made by or on behalf of the DPP, issue a European Arrest Warrant subject to the provisions of the Act.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will support the call for an independent investigation into policing operations at Corrib Gas and the sinking of a ship (details supplied). [13311/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with section 7 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Síochána is statutorily required to provide policing services for the State with the objective of, inter alia, preserving peace and good order, protecting life and property and preventing crime. The ongoing policing operation in north County Mayo meets these objectives.

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 established the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission to provide the public with independent and effective oversight of policing by receiving and dealing with complaints which members of the public may have concerning conduct of members of the Garda Síochána. I am aware that a number of complaints arising out of the protests at the Corrib Gas site have been investigated by the Ombudsman Commission under a number of provisions of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the sinking of a ship to which the Deputy refers was the subject of a thorough investigation but no party has yet been made amenable in relation to this incident. I do not support a call for an independent inquiry into the policing operation in north County Mayo associated with the Corrib Gas development.