Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2024
781. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 374 of 8 October 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to answer the question. [45033/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraParliamentary Question No. 374 of 8 October 2024 refers to Operation Cartwheel; the number of persons arrested and charged under this operation; and if this operation is still ongoing at present.
As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes responsibility for the organisation's approaches to preventing and investigating criminal activity. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
Operation Cartwheel refers to investigations into people who benefited by falsely obtaining learner permits and the individuals who organised and facilitated this fraud. Allegations were made in relation to people paying others to sit their test to obtain learner permits.
I am informed that the Garda authorities referred this matter to the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) for investigation and a decision was made that the GNECB would retain the investigations into the people who organised and facilitated this fraud.
Investigations into the people who benefited by falsely obtaining learner permits would be referred to local Garda Districts for investigation.
GNECB identified and arrested five main suspects. The DPP has directed that these be charged with a number of offences each. Thus far, two persons have been charged.
I am informed that 114 people were identified by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) as having obtained their first learner permit by fraud.
I am advised that the RSA have invalidated these 114 learners permits and any licences that were obtained from these learner permits. As learner permits are only valid for a two year period, no driver from this pool of 114 people currently holds an in-date learner permit or valid licence obtained by these means.
Arising from these investigations, I am informed that GNECB prepared 113 investigation packs and sent them to external districts for investigation.
