Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen to meet with An Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC)

The meeting at 1.30pm in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House will hear from Mr Justice Rory MacCabe, Chairperson; Mr Hugh Hume, Commissioner; Mr Peter Whelan, Director of Operations and Investigations; and Ms Valerie Woods, Deputy Director of Administration.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Martin Browne said: “The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is the independent statutory oversight body for policing in Ireland. GSOC’s responsibilities include investigating incidents involving members of An Garda Síochána that result in injury or death, and investigating matters in relation to the conduct of gardaí, including complaints from member of the public.

“It also investigates matters referred by An Garda Síochána, the Minister for Justice and the Policing Authority. The Committee looks forward to discussing GSOC’s recent reports, current work and related matters with Mr Justice MacCabe and his colleagues.

“Members will also consider petitions seeking to ‘Stop legal netting of Atlantic salmon in Castlemaine harbour’, ‘Penalise or ban plastic disposable toys’ and ‘Support access to employment for Non-EEA PhD students' spouses in Ireland’.

“There is also a petition ‘Seeking Immediate Financial Relief for Autistic Children whose Families are Paying Privately for Assessments and Therapies - Seeking Proper Oversight and An External Complaints System for the HSE and To Seek a Full Review of Carer's Allowance and How Carers are Viewed’ and there will be an update on the previously discussed petition regarding ‘Reform of Insurance for Thatched Heritage Buildings’.”

The Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen is a standing Committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas and has 11 Members, seven from the Dáil and four from the Seanad.

The meeting in the Committee Room 4 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.