Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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111. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the Garda Síochána review overseen by the Policing Authority into the cancelling of 999 calls; if she has received the conclusions of the review to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36750/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that An Garda Síochána wrote to the Secretary General of my Department on 4 December 2020 to inform the Department that a number of 999 calls had been cancelled on the AGS Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and that An Garda Síochána was carrying out a review of the reasons behind this. An Garda Síochána also brought the issue to the attention of the Policing Authority the same month. Minister McEntee wrote to the Policing Authority on 5 February 2021 to request that the Authority oversee the review being carried out by An Garda Síochána in this regard.

Following Minister McEntee's request, the Policing Authority wrote to Minister McEntee with updates on 17 February 2021 and 27 April 2021 and to myself with an update on 7 June 2021. The Garda Commissioner wrote to me with an update on 16 June. I have also been briefed by both the Commissioner and the Chair of the Authority. The Garda review, and the Authority's oversight of it is ongoing.

Once the Authority has completed its work, I will examine its conclusions and take any action that needs to be taken on foot of its report.

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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112. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consult with the Garda Commissioner to consider the introduction of a medal scheme for members of An Garda Síochána in recognition of their service during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34293/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes matters in relation to any medal or commendation scheme. I, as Minister, have no role in these matters.

I am informed by Garda authorities that there are currently no plans being considered in respect of a medal scheme specifically for service during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, I am assured that Garda members' excellent police work during the pandemic will be acknowledged and incorporated into the Garda Centenary celebrations in 2022.