Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to draw members' attention to a matter. It would be appropriate to do so here or, indeed, further on in respect of another section. This section refers to the bureau being the national vetting bureau of the Garda Síochána under the existing Garda Síochána Acts. It would be possible for the vetting bureau to produce an annual report as opposed to its report simply being subsumed within the Garda annual report, but it is my intention on Report Stage to introduce an amendment to the Bill to provide for the Garda vetting bureau to publish an annual report to be furnished directly to the Garda Commissioner and then furnished on to the Minister to be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.

It is important we have an annual view as to how the bureau is working, whether it is adequately staffed and resourced, whether delays are arising and, in the context of the bureau and the chief bureau officer in charge, whether there is some legal anomaly or difficulty identified that needs to be addressed in terms of legislation. I hope to bring this amendment before the House on Report Stage. I hope Members will see the benefit of it. It is important we have transparency as to how the bureau is operating into the future and that there is a direct reporting function. If members of this or future Oireachtas justice committees wish to get an overview of the bureau and its workings, the amendment would give rise to the result of the report being laid before their committees for consideration and comment. It would give an annual, dynamic oversight that I believe would be useful.