Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Nov 2002

Vol. 558 No. 2

Written Answers. - Garda Investigations.

Liz McManus

Question:

68 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the report of the Garda Complaints Board into violent incidents involving members of the Garda Síochána during a "reclaim the streets" demonstration in May 2002; if, in view of the lack of co-operation extended to the board by members of the Garda alleged to have been involved, he will expedite the enactment of the promised legislation to provide for an independent Garda inspectorate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23708/02]

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

92 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a position of an independent impartial Garda ombudsman will be created to ensure that the concerns of the general public regarding Garda behaviour are adequately represented in view of the disturbing findings of the Garda Síochána Complaints Board in regard to the "reclaim the streets" march in May 2002. [23821/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 92 together.

An Agreed Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish an independent Garda inspectorate which will have the power to investigate complaints and will have the powers of an ombudsman. I have made clear my resolve to bring forward the necessary legislative proposals for this in 2003 and work is already under way in my Department on the matter. I have also made clear that, in preparing the legislative proposals, I will give particular attention to the nature and extent of the powers which it will be necessary for the inspectorate to have. One of the issues which will be examined in this regard, which arose in connection with the investigation referred to in the questions, will be the extent to which members of the force will, subject of course to their constitutional rights, be obliged to co-operate with any investigation undertaken by or on behalf of the inspectorate.