Bernard Durkan
Question:310. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if her Department has been appraised of a situation (details supplied) and if she will refer the matter to the Garda Ombudsman. [38940/21]
View answerThursday, 15 July 2021
Questions (310)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including all Garda operations. As Minister, I have no role in Garda operational decisions. Similarly, the Courts are independent in the exercise of their functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law.
As the Deputy will also be aware, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is the body designated in law to receive and, where it deems appropriate, investigate concerns from members of the public regarding the conduct of members of An Garda Síochána. Any member of the public with a complaint about the conduct of members of An Garda Síochána has the option to contact GSOC about their complaint. The independence of the Ombudsman Commission is key to its role and is enshrined in the law. As Minister for Justice, I have no role nor can I comment on any concerns that are submitted to GSOC.
Insofar as it is suggested that a person may have purported to be a member of An Garda Síochána
who was not a member, it is an offence under section 60 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to impersonate a member of An Garda Síochána. Any concerns about such activity should be reported to An Garda Síochána for investigation.