Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It might be useful if the Garda Inspectorate, and possibly GSOC, could make a submission to this process around the international practice. Why should the two organisations continue to exist? How can they complement each other's work? In fairness, Mr. Olson goes some way in that direction in his submission but with the contribution of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, it would be helpful not only for the committee but for citizens if we could see what the Garda professional standards unit, the Garda Inspectorate and GSOC do and what the new policing authority will do. Mr. Olson made a good point that the Garda Inspectorate is not involved in the nitty-gritty of investigations. There is a natural tension between An Garda Síochána and GSOC all the time and maybe that is a necessary evil, but in terms of the Garda Inspectorate's role, it is sort of above that, taking the helicopter view.