Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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357. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23841/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the manner in which any criminal investigation is conducted is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner and his management team and I, as Minister, have no role in such matters.

Under our law, criminal investigations can only be carried out by An Garda Síochána who then submit a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).  The DPP, who operates independently of my Department, then decides whether or not someone should be prosecuted and for what crime. The Deputy will appreciate it would be completely inappropriate for me as Minister to intervene in this independent process.

I would encourage the person in question to continue to engage directly with An Garda Síochána in this matter.