Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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229. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a public apology on behalf of the State will be issued to the family of a person (details supplied) in view of failures identified in the GSOC report on the person's death; if he will request the Garda Commissioner to do same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28983/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The circumstances surrounding the tragic death of the person referred to in this question and the pursuant Garda investigation were the subject of a complaint considered by the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) established by the Government to consider allegations of Garda misconduct or inadequacies in investigations.

My predecessor accepted the recommendation of counsel for the IRM that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission was the appropriate body to further examine this case, and referred the matter to GSOC for investigation under section 102 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

I have now received a report outlining the findings of this investigation, as has the family concerned, however, GSOC does not consider this matter closed. In accordance with section 97 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, GSOC has written to the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána to provide him with a report into these matters, to outline a number of issues arising from this investigation and to make recommendations to An Garda Síochána.

GSOC intends to issue a further update in relation to this matter upon receipt of a response from the Garda Commissioner, as required under section 97 of the aforementioned Act. In advance of this response, it would be premature for me to consider what, if any, further action may be appropriate.

I can assure the Deputy that full consideration will be given to this matter upon receipt of the final update report from GSOC.