Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Mention was made in the submission of the protocols established with An Garda Síochána, such as the provision by the inspectorate of advance notice when visiting Garda locations. Looking at this objectively, I see the requirement to give notice of a visit to a Garda station as not allowing for an objective and independent assessment, as the provision of notice allows people to prepare for the visit. I believe cold calling is very important for visits. For example, I am a former school principal of a national school, and although a school might have an assessment by the Department a couple of times a year, there are also cold call visits, when an inspector just drops in to see what is happening - such as at 10 a.m. on a Monday morning or 2.30 p.m. on a Friday afternoon. I saw this as efficient use of the inspectorate.