Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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57. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review the handling of a case by An Garda Síochána (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16556/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The particular case to which the Deputy refers was 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 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 that purpose.

The outcome of the review of this case issued to the person to whom the Deputy refers in November last year. The recommendation made by counsel was that I should take no further action in this case and the person was informed of the reasons for that outcome. While I appreciate that it may be difficult for the person in question to accept that, as Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality I do not have the authority to review Garda investigations or decisions of the Director of Public Prosecutions nor do I have the authority to initiate criminal investigations or prosecutions.