Mr. Drew Harris:

We would certainly agree that investigations should be conducted in a timely manner because it is a matter of great stress for Garda members and also a source of dissatisfaction for the public if these things take an inordinate amount of time. Matters that are referred back to An Garda Síochána for superintendents to investigate are more minor matters and would invariably relate to discipline only. I would not see such serious cases ever being referred back to us. In fact, we would not be comfortable in taking such a case back. It is only the more minor matters that come back to us.