Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Investigations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 July 2016

Tuesday, 19 July 2016

Ceisteanna (140)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

140. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if, further to the request of the Garda Commissioner in her press statement of 25 May 2016 and pursuant to her powers under the Garda Síochána Acts, she has referred to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, for the purpose of an investigation in the public interest, the matter of whether two senior Garda officers had sought to misrepresent before the O’Higgins commission of investigation the contents of a meeting they held with a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22700/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

The Garda Commissioner wrote to me on 19 May 2016 asking that I use the legal powers available to me to request the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) to investigate matters alleged to have occurred in relation to a meeting in Mullingar involving certain officers.

On 16 June 2016, having consulted with the Attorney General and having sought additional information from the Garda Commissioner, I requested GSOC in accordance with section 102 (5) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, to investigate the matter.