Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have huge respect for the Garda Síochána and the excellent work that the force carries out. However, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is there for oversight and to investigate matters. If I receive a letter from the Revenue Commissioners or any authority asking me a question, whether it is do with tax affairs or whatever, then I am duty bound to respond and give the information. We all have to abide by certain rules. The commission either has teeth or it does not. It has the power or it does not. If the commission has the power and chooses not to use it, it is not doing its job properly. It took 136 days to be provided with information that was requested. This is an outrage. Why is the Minister not doing something about this? How can he stand over the fact that the commission made 18 requests and still got no answer? The witnesses will be worn out from writing. It is an outrage and it is shocking.