Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

85. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a request for a meeting. [2326/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This tragic case was considered under the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM). The recommendation made by the IRM was that no further action should be taken at that time. Counsel pointed out that the appropriate forum for raising matters related to alleged Garda failings was the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) who were already investigating certain matters arising from the tragic death in this case.

GSOC is an independent body tasked with the investigation of complaints against members of the Garda Síochána.  That independence is crucial to confidence in the process of investigating such complaints.  Therefore, it is a matter entirely for GSOC as to how it carries out its investigations and it would be entirely inappropriate for me, as Minister, to comment on any current GSOC investigation.

I am aware that GSOC met with members of the family in question last September and my understanding is they were given a full update on the current position with regard to the investigation of their complaints.

A commitment was given by the former Taoiseach that when the GSOC investigation is completed and the final report is to hand the question of whether, and if so, what further action can be taken, will be considered. That remains the position. In the circumstances I do not believe that a meeting at this stage would serve any useful purpose.