I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 50, 68 and 135 together.
My Department is at present completing a thorough review of the operation of the Garda Síochána Complaints Act, 1986, on the basis of recommendations for change made by the Garda Síochána Complaints Board in its reports and on the basis of views expressed by the Council of Europe Committee on the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment; and also taking into account the views of Garda management and the Garda Representative Associations. I have also been listening to the public debate that has taken place on the subject during the course of recent months. It is my intention to bring proposals to Government shortly for amendment of the Act, on foot of this review.
I am aware of the perceived shortcomings of the present system and the dissatisfaction with its operation, in certain quarters. While it would not be appropriate for me to comment in detail on the proposals I will bring to Government, I assure the Deputies that the general thrust of my proposals will be to enhance the role of the complaints board in investigating complaints against members of the Garda Síochána. To this end, I have been concerned to get the balance right and not to rush the review which is now close to completion.
As regards complaints which are outstanding, I am informed by the Garda Complaints Board that the figures up to end August 2000 indicate that there are 1,020 complaints on hand. A total of 335 of these are outstanding for in excess of one year and of that figure, 137 for in excess of two years.
To some extent these figures are indicative of the inadequate numbers of staff which have, until recently, been at the board's disposal. Some months back I secured approval for a significant increase in the number and grading of staff for the board. Once these staff are recruited and in place I would expect to see an improvement in the time within which the board can deal with complaints. However, there will always be cases which, because of particular circumstances, take an unusually long time to complete, and these would be reflected in the figures which I have given, particularly those relating to cases which have been on hand for more than two years.