19 Samh 2013, 14:11
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions will tomorrow afternoon meet with Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan to consider the Garda Ombudsman's concerns around the handling of informants, and the broader relationship between the Garda Síochána and that body.
19 November 2013
The meeting will consider the following Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission reports:
- Special Report by the Garda Siochána Ombudsman Commission to the Minister for Justice Equality and Defence issued pursuant to section 80(5) of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005.
- Garda Siochána Ombudsman Commission Annual Report 2012.
Reports can be accessed on the GSOC website.
Chairman of the Committee Pádraig Mac Lochlainn says: \"Within the Committee's orders of reference, we may liaise with Ombudsmen, regulatory public bodies or bodies established for the purpose of redress and in July we hosted members of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC). The Committee discussed issues arising from a GSOC special report which outlines concerns around Garda handling of informants. With the investigation taking four years to complete, the Commissioners referred to the difficulties experienced by the investigation team in obtaining evidence from the Garda Síochána.
\"Committee Members at the time expressed grave concern at these unsatisfactory delays. We did hear that there has been improvement in some cases in the timeliness of response by the Garda Síochána to requests, and note the Memorandum of Understanding published in September between the two bodies. We look forward to engaging with the Commissioner Callinan tomorrow afternoon on issues arising from both the Special Report and the GSOC's Annual Report 2012 and the efforts being made by An Garda Síochána to facilitate full and transparent oversight of the force.\"
The meeting takes place tomorrow Wednesday 20 November in Committee Room 3, LH 2000 at 4 pm. Public proceedings can be viewed online via this link.
Media enquiries to:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
Committee Membership
Deputies: Richard Boyd Barrett, Michael Conaghan, Alan Farrell, Charles Flanagan, Noel Harrington, Michael Healy-Rae, Seamus Kirk, Michael Kitt, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Chair), Michael McCarthy, Helen McEntee, Michelle Mulherin, Derek Nolan (Vice-Chair), Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Mick Wallace
Senators: Jimmy Harte, Tony Mulcahy, Trevor Ó Clochartaigh and Susan O’Keeffe