Vol. 509 No. 1
66 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his response to the concern expressed by the Garda Síochána Complaints Board that increased resources are required to adequately deal with the level of complaints it is receiving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19728/99]
I am aware that the Garda Síochána Complaints Board, in its recent publications, has expressed the view that the resources currently at its disposal are of a level that has resulted in a significant increase in the time taken to finalise complaints.
The complaints board did, accordingly, make a submission to me seeking both an augmented staffing complement and, at the same time, an enhancement in the grading of staff with the board.
Having comprehensively analysed the board's submission, I can confirm that I fully accept the board's case for additional resources. As a consequence, my Department made a detailed and substantial case to the Department of Finance and has indicated that it is regarded as a priority issue.
I understand that the matter is under consideration by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, and my Department is actively pursuing the matter in an effort to reach an early resolution of the board's existing resource difficulties.
