Written answers
Thursday, 10 December 2015
Department of Justice and Equality
Garda Investigations
Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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133. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if a person who reports an issue and provides a lengthy written statement to An Garda Síochána is entitled to an update on the stage that the investigation is at, if the Director of Public Prosecutions has made any comment on the matter, and if a definite line of inquiry is being followed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44612/15]
Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the conduct of particular Garda investigations is a matter for the Garda authorities and I, as Minister, do not have a role in this regard. The Deputy will also be aware that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is independent in the performance of her functions and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the actions of the DPP in a particular case.
However, I can advise the Deputy in general terms that An Garda Síochána have always endeavoured to keep victims updated on the progress of investigations. Moreover, since the coming into force of the EU victims directive on 16 November 2015, on reporting a crime a victim is entitled to given contact details within An Garda Síochána for communications about their case. From the same date, a victim is entitled to tell An Garda Síochána that they wish to receive updates on the stage the investigation is at. If they express such a wish they must be provided with information on the state of criminal proceedings, unless in exceptional circumstances where the proper handling of the case may be adversely affected by such notification.
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