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471 Questions— 22 February 2005. Written Answers 472Garda Investigations.308. Mr. Gregory asked the Minister forJustice, Equality and Law Reform if the Gardahas investigated the shooting of domesticateddeer at a location (details supplied) in CountySligo as reported in a national newspaper; and ifhe will make a statement on the matter.[5737/05]Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform(Mr. McDowell): I am informed by the Gardaauthorities that a complaint was received by theGarda regarding the incident referred to by theDeputy and that matter is now the subject of aninvestigation. As the Deputy will appreciate, itwould be inappropriate for me to make anyfurther comment regarding Garda involvement inthe investigation.Prisoner Releases.309. Mr. Costello asked the Minister forJustice, Equality and Law Reform when he proposesto release a person (details supplied); andif he will make a statement on the matter.[5738/05]Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform(Mr. McDowell): The case of the person referredto by the Deputy remains the subject of close andcareful review and I have not yet decided on arelease date.Irish Prison Service.310. Mr. Costello asked the Minister forJustice, Equality and Law Reform the number ofpersons who visited Mountjoy Prison in 2004; thenumber of prisoners admitted to Mountjoy in2004; the number of prisoners released fromMountjoy in 2004; the number of prisoners transferredfrom Mountjoy in 2004; the number ofprisoners taken out of the prison for emergencyservices such as hospital care in 2004; the numberof prisoners transported from Mountjoy to andfrom the courts in 2004; and if he will make astatement on the matter. [5739/05]Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform(Mr. McDowell): The Governor of MountjoyPrison has indicated a total of 26,071 visits to theprison in the year 2004. The vast majority of thesevisits were to prisoners and the remainder by personssuch as solicitors, gardaí, Irish Prison ServiceHeadquarters staff, contractors, catering anddelivery staff, addiction counsellors, St. Vincentde Paul and The Samaritans. While the exactnumber of persons who visited the prison is notreadily retrievable, it is estimated that, on average,three persons were present during each visitto a prisoner.I can also inform the Deputy that prisonrecords show a total of 2,695 separate committalsto Mountjoy Prison in 2004. This figure includescommittals from the courts and transfers fromother prisons. There were 1,429 prisoner releasesfrom Mountjoy Prison in the same time period.In addition, figures indicate a total of 1,854prisoner transfers out of Mountjoy Prison toother institutions during the year and 736 prisonerescorts to various hospitals for treatment in2004.Finally, there were 2,836 prisoner transfersfrom Mountjoy Prison to court and 3,119 prisonersescorted from court to Mountjoy Prisonduring the year. Legislation is being drafted toallow certain pretrial hearings to be conductedwith the accused remaining in prison but participatingin the proceedings by a video-link betweenthe prison and court. This will reduce the numberof prisoners who have to be transferred to andfrom the courts.Prison Building Programme.311. Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister forJustice, Equality and Law Reform the details ofthe tender process, applicants and applicationsconsidered, including details of the successfulapplicant, for the commissioning of the buildingof the vacant unit adjacent to St. Patrick’s Institutionat Mountjoy Prison. [5853/05]Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform(Mr. McDowell): On 14 April, 2002, twomembers of the Garda Síochána were tragicallykilled when struck by a stolen car on the StillorganRoad in Dublin. Following this, on April 17the Government decided to provide up to 20places for offenders aged up to 16 years at StPatrick’s Institution. The contract was not tendered,but was negotiated with the contractorwho submitted the lowest tender for a constructionproject at an adjacent site in MountjoyPrison in December, 2001 which was not proceededwith. This procedure was adopted due tothe urgency of the project at that point in timeand the fact that the Prison Service was advisedby its professional consultants that the rates in theMountjoy tender were competitive, representedvalue for money and were unlikely to beimproved in a new tender competition. The contractwas awarded to Rohcon Limited. The originaltender was conducted by the Office of PublicWorks on behalf of the Prison Service and a totalof seven contractors competed in the process.Garda Complaints Procedures.312. Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister forJustice, Equality and Law Reform the proceduresopen to victims of crime who are not satisfiedwith the Garda investigation of their case; if hewill seek further clarification, support, advice andassistance to ensure that truth and justice prevails;and if he will make a statement on thematter. [5854/05]Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform(Mr. McDowell): If a person is not happy withthe conduct of a member of the Garda Síochána,it is open to him or her to make a complaint tothe Garda Síochána Complaints Board. TheGarda Síochána Complaints Board is currently
473 Questions— 22 February 2005. Written Answers 474the statutory body to investigate complaints bymembers of the public against the Garda. A complaintcan be made by writing or by calling toits offices.A complaint can also be made at any GardaStation, and it will be forwarded to the board forattention unless the person indicates in writingthat he or she wishes it to be dealt with by theGarda Síochána itself. The Minister cannot passon a complaint to the board on anyone’s behalfas it is a condition of the relevant legislation thatthe person concerned must make the complaintin one of the ways described. The board is notempowered to deal with complaints not lodgedwithin six months of the date of the incident.The board’s offices are located at Block 1, IrishLife Centre, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1, telephoneNo. 01-878 7526.I understand from the Garda authorities thatprocedures put in place in relation to the victimsof crime — which are set out in the Garda Charterfor Victims of Crime — provide that theGarda will inform victims, where a suspect ischarged, of the time, date and location of thecourt hearing of the charges against the accused.Victims who are not satisfied with the investigationof their case or have inquiries, suggestionsor feedback on any aspect of treatment or thevictims of crime by any member of the GardaSíochána may contact the Victim Liaison Officer,Community Relations Section, Harcourt Square,Harcourt Street, Dublin 2. (01) 6663802 or theirlocal superintendent.I can further inform the Deputy that provisionsfor victims is made by a number of Governmentagencies as well as non-governmental organisations.The rights and entitlements of victims ofcrime in Ireland are set out in the Victims Charter,published by my Department in 1999, followingextensive consultations with all relevant agenciesincluding the Courts, Garda Síochána, thePrison Service, the Probation and Welfare Service,the State Prosecution Service and the VictimSupport organisation. Victim Support providessupport to victims of crime and their familiesthrough a network of volunteers nationwide. MyDepartment has provided funding for its administrativeand staff costs amounting to \5.3 millionin the five years up to the end of 2004.The charter makes specific provision for particularlyvulnerable victims such as victims of sexualoffences, domestic violence, elderly victims withdisabilities, and children. It also contains specificprovisions on keeping victims informed of theoutcome of their complaints, the progress of anycriminal proceedings, and the outcome of theseproceedings.It is my intention to arrange for a review ofthe provisions of the Victims Charter in the nearfuture, in order to ensure its continuing relevanceand effectiveness in providing for crime victims.As well as administrative and other provisions,the review will critically examine the deploymentof resources to ensure that they continue todeliver maximum effectiveness as well as valuefor money.The review will also have regard to the EUFramework Decision of 15 March 2001 on theStanding of Victims in Criminal Proceedings,which sets out to harmonise the treatment of victimsof crime across the EU, to ensure thatIreland continues to meet its commitments inthat regard.Asylum Applications.313. Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Ministerfor Justice, Equality and Law Reform whenhe proposes to make a decision on an applicationfor family reunification for a person (detailssupplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make astatement on the matter. [5856/05]Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform(Mr. McDowell): In the course of processing theapplication for family reunification in respect ofthe person concerned questions arose in relationto the validity of the marriage. This issue is currentlybeing investigated. When the investigationhas been completed a decision on the applicationwill be taken at that stage.Registration of Title.314. Mr. Naughten asked the Minister forJustice, Equality and Law Reform further toParliamentary Question No. 323 of 14 December2004, the reason for the delay in having this person’s(details supplied) application processed;and if he will make a statement on the matter.[5883/05]Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform(Mr. McDowell): I am informed by the Registrarof Titles that this is an application for Transfer ofPart which was lodged on 14 June, 1999. DealingNumber D1999CR003738J refers.I am further informed that this application wascompleted on 17 February, 2005.Garda Stations.315. Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice,Equality and Law Reform the reason for thedelay in progressing the new Garda station promisedfor Ballymun; and if he will make a statementon the matter. [5919/05]Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform(Mr. McDowell): Before a new station can bebuilt in Ballymun, it is necessary for the State tohave secured a suitable site there.In that regard, I understand that the Commissionersof Public Works are in negotiation withBallymun Regeneration Limited regarding aspecific site. Once secured, the planning processfor the new station can commence.
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