Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of bench warrants outstanding in the Munster region at the end of November 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1019/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table shows the number of outstanding bench warrants in each of the Garda Divisions in the Munster Region. Figures provided are operational and liable to change and are correct as at 10 January 2013 (I am informed that to retrospectively calculate the equivalent figures for end November 2012 would require a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources to compile).

There can be a multiplicity of reasons why warrants can take time to execute and, in some cases, they can prove ultimately unenforceable, as the subjects of the warrants will often take every step open to them to try to avoid arrest through moving from address to address, leaving the country and so on.

I have been advised by the Garda Commissioner that at present there is an Inspector in each Garda District in the Dublin Metropolitan Region and each Division outside the DMR tasked with managing the execution of warrants, and other issues relating to them. In addition, specific members of the Force are tasked with their execution. While genuine difficulties can arise where it does not prove possible to enforce a warrant, it is obviously important that systems are in place to ensure that warrants are enforced as quickly as possible. In this regard, I have been assured by the Garda Commissioner that An Garda Síochána give priority to the execution of warrants in respect of serious crime and will continue to do so.

Of its nature, the figure for outstanding warrants recorded by PULSE at any given time reflects an accumulation of old warrants which has arisen over the years. Warrants will continue to show on PULSE until such time as they are recorded as being finally disposed of and, as some of the warrants in question are outstanding for many years, I am concerned that the total figure for outstanding warrants as shown on PULSE may not be a reliable indicator of the number of 'live' warrants which are enforceable which are on hand.

I have asked the Garda Commissioner to consider whether there may be a better way of maintaining statistics which gives a more realistic indication in relation to any backlog of warrants and to report to me on measures being taken to improve the execution of warrants generally. In this regard I am also advised that there is a warrants working group in place which facilitates liaison between the various stakeholders, including the Court Service and the Prison Service and which works to identify, address and prevent difficulties in the warrants process. The work of the group is ongoing and relevant recommendations for the improvement of systems are being implemented on an ongoing basis.

I am in ongoing contact with the Commissioner on this matter and I have indicated to him that if he has any recommendations in relation to legislative or administrative action which is open to me as Minister, then I will, of course, consider them very carefully. The Garda Commissioner has assured me that both he and his senior management team are closely monitoring the situation with a view to ensuring that warrants are executed as expeditiously as possible. I expect to receive a further report from the Garda authorities in relation to this matter in the coming months.