Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I have said with regard to other proposed amendments, there are constitutional limitations on the extent to which it is open to the Oireachtas to make changes. In regard to the effect of amendment No. 99, this goes further than policing matters. As drafted, it would give the authority the capacity to issue a directive concerning any matter relating to the Garda Síochána without prior Government approval. Under the amendment, the authority would be in a position to issue a directive to the Garda Commissioner in regard to a security matter, despite the fact that such a matter would not fall within the remit of the authority's function.