Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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135. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 70 of 2 November 2016 (details supplied), if she has received any update from the serious crime review team or the Garda Commissioner; the date on which the team is due to complete its examination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5886/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will recall, the Garda Commissioner requested the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) to examine the case in question, as a matter of priority, ensuring that all avenues of enquiry are fully explored and addressed. The Deputy will appreciate that the management of particular Garda investigations are matters in the first instance for the Garda authorities and I have no direct role in this regard. In this context it is not open to me to set a particular timeline for the work which the SCRT is undertaking.

However, I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as part of its work, the SCRT is reviewing the information collected by An Garda Síochána in relation to the case over the last 39 years and has interviewed a number of persons and examined and surveyed a number of places. I am further advised that at the conclusion of each review undertaken by the SCRT a substantive report is provided to assist in the consideration of opportunities for further investigation.

I expect to receive a further update on the case from the Garda authorities after the SCRT completes its examination.