Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 December 2023
160. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide figures, in tabular form, for the volume of complaints to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission year-on-year since its establishment in 2007; how many Garda have been suspended year-on-year since 2007; how many cases remain open (by timeframe); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55453/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is an important independent statutory body established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. I want to emphasise the vital role that GSOC plays in providing the necessary oversight of An Garda Síochána. GSOC is completely independent in its functions, and as Minister I cannot comment on any GSOC investigations or policies. This independence is the hallmark of good oversight.
As the Deputy will also appreciate, disciplinary matters within An Garda Síochána are governed by the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) and the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007, as amended by the Garda Síochána (Discipline) (Amendment) Regulations 2011, and are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy and have been advised that the table below sets out the number of Garda members suspended by year for the period requested:
|
Year |
No. of suspensions in year |
|
2007 |
6 |
|
2008 |
7 |
|
2009 |
11 |
|
2010 |
15 |
|
2011 |
8 |
|
2012 |
11 |
|
2013 |
24 |
|
2014 |
16 |
|
2015 |
12 |
|
2016 |
9 |
|
2017 |
9 |
|
2018 |
21 |
|
2019 |
26 |
|
2020 |
41 |
|
2021 |
44 |
|
2022 |
44 |
|
2023 (to date) |
23 |
I am informed by GSOC that the below table sets out the number of complaints received by the Ombudsman for the years requested. Please note these figures are taken from GSOC's annual reports, which are published on their website:
|
Year |
No. of complaints |
|
2008 |
2,681 |
|
2009 |
2,097 |
|
2010 |
2,258 |
|
2011 |
2,275 |
|
2012 |
2,089 |
|
2013 |
2,027 |
|
2014 |
2,242 |
|
2015 |
1,996 |
|
2016 |
1,758 |
|
2017 |
1,949 |
|
2018 |
1,921 |
|
2019 |
1,756 |
|
2020 |
1,955 |
|
2021 |
2,189 |
|
2022 |
1,826 |
I am further informed that the table below sets out the number of cases with GSOC that remain open, by length of time in years and days.
|
Year |
No. of GSOC cases |
Cases outside GSOC control awaiting AGS Boards of Inquiry, Court Proceedings, Coroner’s Inquests, DPP Decisions – over 2 years |
|
0-1 (0-365 days) |
317 |
- |
|
1-2 (365-730 days) |
98 |
- |
|
2-3 (730-1095 days) |
41 |
23 |
|
3-4 years (1095-1460 days) |
19 |
17 |
|
4-5 years (1460-1825 days) |
9 |
16 |
|
5-6 years (1825-2190 days) |
4 |
2 |
|
6 onwards (2190 days onwards) |
6 |
4 |
