Morris Tribunal leads to advisory committee on Garda interviewing

The Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Mr Dermot Ahern T.D., has announced the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Garda Interviewing of suspects following recommendations of the Morris Tribunal.
The make up of the committee includes representatives of the Department of Justice, the Law Society, the Irish Human Rights Commission and An Garda Siochana.
In a statement announcing the make up of the advisory committee, Minister Ahern says it is important that the law and systems of interviewing are kept under continual review.
He says systems must be effective in tackling crime,  and also ensure that the State meets its responsibility to provide fair procedures that uphold the highest standards of constitutional and natural justice.
The Committee will oversee policy on interviews in Garda custody on an ongoing basis, including recommending changes in law and practice.
The committee will be chaired by Mr Justice Esmond Smyth, who previously chaired the group which oversaw the initial introduction of audio/visual recording in Garda Stations.
The sixth report of the Morris Tribunal recommended the establishment of the advisory group which has been announced today.