Skip to main content
Normal View

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

Questions (69, 82, 88)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

69. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he has taken to address concerns expressed by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission regarding relations with An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46534/13]

View answer

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

82. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has organised for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission to have direct access to the PULSE system without the need of a member of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45980/13]

View answer

Joan Collins

Question:

88. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he intends to take to improve the operation of GSOC as it requested. [45974/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 69, 82 and 88 together.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission was established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to provide independent oversight of complaints made against members of the Garda Síochána. The Garda Ombudsman Commission has a hugely important role in ensuring that public confidence in the Garda Síochána is safeguarded, and has extensive powers under the 2005 Act to enable it to carry out its responsibilities.

Section 108 of the Garda Siochana Act 2005 provides that the Ombudsman Commission and the Garda Commissioner shall, by written protocols, make arrangements concerning matters including the sharing of information between both organisations. These protocols set down issues such as time limits for the provision of information by the Garda Síochána to the Garda Ombudsman Commission, and it is clearly important that any such agreed protocols should be respected by both parties, and that any difficulties in this regard should be addressed. I have no function in the making of such arrangements or in determining the protocols surrounding those arrangements.

In response to concerns raised by the Ombudsman Commission concerning cooperation issues with the Garda Siochana I convened a meeting with the Garda Commissioner and the Chairperson of the Ombudsman Commission on 23 July last. The aim of the meeting was to explore how best to ensure the highest level of practical co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the Ombudsman Commission in what can be complex and difficult investigations into alleged Garda misconduct. I am very pleased that the Garda Commissioner and the Chairperson of the Ombudsman Commission have since signed new protocols providing for enhanced cooperation between the two organisations. The protocols are available on the website of the Ombudsman Commission.

These new protocols will support the Ombudsman Commission in carrying out investigations in the most effective and timely manner possible, to the benefit of both complainants and members of the Garda Síochána alike. They also reflect the commitment of the Garda Commissioner to the full co-operation of the Garda Síochána in these investigations. The revised protocols also provide that the Ombudsman Commission has access to PULSE through the two Garda Superintendents working on secondment with the Ombudsman Commission.

I also informed the House in my earlier replies that I have established a committee chaired by a senior official of my Department, with senior representatives from the Ombudsman Commission and the Garda Síochána, to act as a forum where any future emerging issues concerning the protocols can be identified and appropriately addressed.

Top
Share