Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

114. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on the workings of the review mechanism in respect of a complaint from a person (details supplied); if she will confirm that all relevant files in the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Finance, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and her Department will be considered in the course of this review, and that the professional staff reviewing this complaint will meet the complainant in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22645/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The particular case to which the Deputy refers is amongst those being considered under the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach, or other public representatives with a view to determining to what extent and in what manner further action may be required in each case. A panel consisting of two Senior and five Junior Counsel was established for the purpose, all selected on the basis of their experience of the criminal justice system.

The review consists of an examination of the papers in each complaint by a member of the Panel. The Panel is not an investigative body for the re-investigation of crimes or allegations of criminal behaviour. It does not involve, and never envisaged, interviews or meetings with complainants or any other form of investigation. Its purpose is to triage these allegations to see if further investigations are needed.

The person referred to by the Deputy has asked whether it is open to him to make a new full submission of the material he wanted considered. He was advised that it was open to him to do so if he wished.

Following the review of the complaint by counsel in this particular case a recommendation will be made to my Department.