Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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316. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to parliamentary question No. 165 of 13 October 2015, if she has responded to requests from the family of a person (details supplied) regarding a further widening of the investigation, given the emergence of new information in correspondence to her on 24 September 2015; when she will respond to the family; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41339/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The particular case to which the Deputy refers is amongst those 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.

The Panel established for that purpose has provided recommendations to me in all 320 cases submitted to them and has therefore largely concluded its work. The issuing of notification letters to complainants commenced on 29 June. To date, 298 complainants have been notified of the outcome of the review of their cases. Letters will continue to issue to all complainants, including the case referred to by the Deputy, until the process is completed.

As regards the Deputy's reference to the possibility of widening the investigation, the process of the Independent Review was not a Commission of Inquiry or Investigation designed to make findings. The purpose of the review was to triage the complaints to establish whether there was any action which I could take to further resolution of that complaint. I have previously assured Deputies that where further investigation is recommended by the review then that will occur.