Commissioner Carmel Foley:

Certainly, we have built up a body of directives since we began operating and if we know enough to ask for a particular directive, we have not been refused it. However, one would simply consider it to be normal communication that we would get the directives automatically as they are issued.

In addition, prior to directives is the more basic document of the Garda code. That document is not readily available and in the interests of openness and transparency, we believe this document should be both in our domain and in the public domain. It is the basic bible used by gardaí, which would help the public understand the powers gardaí have. Indeed, it may cut down on complaints when people realise that Garda powers do allow them to carry out some of the activities and behaviour about which people complain.