Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

656. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who have been suspended from duty; and the length of time in years that they have been suspended, in tabular form. [10051/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, but I have not received this information in time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

657. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of cases the Garda computer crime unit have dealt with in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [10066/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, but I have not received this information in time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

658. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of horsebox vehicles purchased for the Garda mounted unit in 2020 and 2021; the number of horsebox vehicles withdrawn from the fleet in 2020 and 2021; and if funding has been provided for the purchase of horsebox vehicles in 2022. [10067/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána as well as for decisions in relation to the allocation and management of Garda equipment and resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Mounted Unit is based at Áras an Uachtaráin, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. The unit has a national remit under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the operational control of Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are currently 6 horsebox trailers attached to the Garda Mounted Unit. I am further advised that no horsebox trailers were purchased in 2020 and one double horsebox trailer was purchased in 2021.

I am informed that no horsebox trailers have been withdrawn from service in 2020 or 2021 and that there are no plans to replace another horsebox unless a need arises.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

659. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the monetary value of crack cocaine seized by gardaí in the Roscommon-Longford and Westmeath Garda divisions in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [10068/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, tackling drug dealing and organised criminal activity is a key priority for the Government and for An Garda Síochána. Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including operational decisions and the deployment of resources to address drug crime. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that confirmed information on types of drugs, and associated weights/volume and purity is only available following analysis by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI). I am further advised that FSI do not classify crack cocaine separately to other cocaine cases.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is also possible that seizures of substances suspected to be crack cocaine may be recorded on PULSE under the more generic term of “cocaine”.

As a result of these factors, I am advised by An Garda Síochána that it is not possible to give a response to this question.

Separately, the Deputy may be interested to know that drugs figures included in An Garda Síochána’s Annual Reports refer to the quantities of drugs analysed by FSI in each calendar year, rather than data recorded on PULSE for that year, and can be located at the link below:

www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/annual%20reports/an-garda-siochana-annual-reports/

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

660. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason An Garda Síochána has not provided all the requested files to Operation Kenova; and the reason for the delay in supplying all the relevant information to the inquiry in order that the victims and survivors can achieve justice. [10102/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy refers to Operation Kenova, which is one of a series of ongoing independent UK police investigations or reviews into Northern Ireland legacy cases that are collectively described as the Kenova cases and are headed up by former Chief Constable Jon Boutcher.

The Deputy will appreciate that cooperation by An Garda Síochána with Operation Kenova is, of course, an operational matter and the Commissioner must take a number of factors into account. I can however inform the Deputy that there are arrangements in place which support the mutual co-operation, assistance and exchange of information between An Garda Síochána and the Operation Kenova Investigation Team and that engagement is ongoing at this time. The Historical Investigation Coordination Unit in An Garda Síochána continues to support this partnership. I am informed that Information has already been provided to the Investigation Team and the remaining requests on hand are under consideration at present.

I can further advise the Deputy of my continuing commitment to supporting An Garda Síochána in pursuing this work and in providing assistance to the greatest extent possible.

More generally, the Deputy will appreciate that dealing with the legacy of the troubles on this island is a difficult and complex task. The Stormont House Agreement sets out a framework to establish effective ways to address the legacy of the troubles and the Government remains committed to the implementation of those measures. The Government is engaged with the UK Government and the parties in Northern Ireland to seek a collective way forward. It is only through a collective approach that we can hope to deal with legacy issues comprehensively and fairly and in a way that is acceptable to victims and their families.