Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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480. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide a further update on a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56548/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In February 2019, retired District Court Judge Gerard Haughton was appointed by the then Minister for Justice and Equality to carry out a scoping exercise in the light of the public controversy surrounding the circumstances of the death of Shane O'Farrell.

The purpose of the scoping exercise was to advise the Minister as to whether any further investigation or inquiry beyond those already carried out was necessary and, if so, to advise on the form of such investigation or inquiry and its terms of reference. 

Judge Haughton submitted his final report to me on 1 June 2022. Since receipt of the final report the advice of the Attorney General was sought and received in relation to the issue of publication and other matters arising.  

I have written to each Department/Agency responsible for issues giving rise to recommendations in the Report and on 27 July I provided the O’Farrell family with an advance copy of the report on a strictly confidential basis. 

I hope to conclude my deliberations in relation to the report shortly.