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

I anticipate that I will be bringing proposals to the Government on this issue. We have been examining it for over nine months. A number of amendments required to the Garda Ombudsman legislation have been suggested that are not of direct relevance to recent controversies. I have said we should examine the issue of the Garda Ombudsman dealing with serious complaints made by serving members of the force against other members of the force. I have done so. I have not considered what resource implications this might have for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. The first stage is to develop the legislative proposals, which, I am sure the Deputy understands, must go to the Cabinet. It is then a matter of producing those proposals. I have not received any communications from the Garda Ombudsman to suggest it does not have the resources it needs to undertake the work it has at hand. Obviously, should that ever be raised with me, I will address it in an appropriate way.