Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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77. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress of the statutory inquiries initiated as a result of the Independent Review Mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16539/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is referring to five Statutory Inquiries which were established, under Section 42 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, on 15 May 2017.  These inquiries, each of which is presided over by a retired judge, arose out of the recommendations of Counsel of the Independent Review Mechanism in respect of five complaints considered by it.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Orders establishing these Inquiries prescribe that a report will be made to me at the conclusion of each Inquiry.  

As was outlined to the Deputy in response to Question 148 of 15 February 2018, at the time of establishment of these Inquiries, a timeframe of six months was set out for the submission of final reports.  In interim reports provided to me by the judges, it was made clear that completion within that six month timeframe has not been possible due to a number of factors.  I therefore granted extensions as appropriate for each Inquiry.

Upon receipt of each final report, I will review the contents and consider whether any further action is warranted or how I should proceed in relation to them.

At the present time, work is continuing on all five Inquiries. I expect to receive reports in respect of three of the inquiries by the end of April.  With regard to the remaining two inquiries, these have been given until the end of June to report.

As the Deputy will appreciate, certain aspects of these cases have proven very complex and I am anxious that the inquiries themselves are thorough and complete.