Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 2

Written Answers. - Garda Complaints Board.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

79 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice if she will introduce legislation to improve the service offered by the Garda Complaints Board in view of recent dissatisfaction at the operation of the Board expressed by many members of the public.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

Dissatisfaction was expressed both some time ago and recently in the media concerning the operation of the Garda Complaints Board because of the arrears in the processing of complaints.

Notwithstanding the extreme difficulty in procuring extra staff for any area of the public service, additional staff were assigned to the board towards the end of 1989 and further additional staff were assigned in 1991. The allocation of the additional staff has enabled the back-log to be cleared and allowed the board to concentrate its resources on current complaints.

With regard to the consideration by the board of individual complaints, the outcome of which may not have satisfied some individuals the position is that the board is an independent statutory body and I have no function in relation to individual complaints.

With regard to the operation of the board generally, the Garda Síochána (Complaints) Act, 1986, provides that the board submits triennial reports on the working of the system of investigation and adjudication of complaints. The board, in its Triennial Report 1987-89, stated that it was satisfied that the Complaints Act was basically sound and provided an adequate legislative basis for the proper investigation and adjudication of complaints. The board's second triennial report is due this year. I will, of course, consider the operation of the system on receipt of this report.