The confidential reporting system under the Garda Síochána (Confidential Reporting of Corruption or Malpractice) Regulations 2007 commenced operation in June 2008. The Garda Commissioner has issued a Confidential Reporting Charter to all sworn members and civilian staff of An Garda Síochána. The Charter contains the contact details of the Confidential Recipients to whom confidential reports may be made. These include the external Confidential Recipient, Mr Brian McCarthy, the former Secretary General to the President, who was appointed by my predecessor. They also include the nine Confidential Recipients appointed by the Garda Commissioner from within the Garda organisation.
I am informed by Mr McCarthy that so far he has been contacted in 5 cases by persons within the Garda organisation about their concerns. Two of these cases have been completed. Mr McCarthy's contact details have been supplied to all the people for whom his services are intended, namely sworn members and civilian employees of An Garda Síochána. His office is located in a building shared with other bodies operating under the aegis of my Department. It is not a public office and members of the public do not have access to his services.
The Regulations oblige the Garda Commissioner to report to me on an annual basis in relation to confidential reports made during that year and the action taken in relation to them.