Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring:

On the issue of following through on systemic recommendations, it can be very frustrating if we perceive an inadequate response when, based on our experience and consideration, we forward matters which we believe are important and in respect of which a change would assist. However, the force is an independent body and it is up to it to decide how it operates. Linking with our sister organisations, the Garda Inspectorate and the Policing Authority, will give us more comfort and us all more consistent reporting on issues. However, we know from the Garda Inspectorate's experience that many considered recommendations made in many reports have not been acknowledged or followed through. I am not here to speak on behalf of the Garda Inspectorate, but that is an issue that applies not only to us but also the inspectorate and, perhaps, the Policing Authority, even in terms of its own recommendations. That may be a matter to take up with the people responsible for dealing with these recommendations, be they from us or others.

On the question of not following through and meeting brick walls, we deal on many occasions with very frustrated people. That is why we say we have to ascertain how the Act has been operating and how to deal with it. For instance, there is no review of a decision made, yet people write back time and again asking us to reopen consideration of a complaint. I refer to determining, on examining the Act, whether there should be some review to ensure a complaint is handled properly by us and the Garda, where it is involved. Once a complaint is dealt with, we notify the complainant, but under the Act, there is no review of that decision. Part of the issue is that if someone has been told he or she is not going to be disciplined, his or her rights arise in the reopening of consideration of a complaint. He or she will have been told the outcome of the complaint. For him or her, is it fair to reopen consideration of the complaint? Therefore, it is important that we get it right the first time. It is important that we have an outcome over which we can stand and with which we are all happy in order that we do not have to come back to re-examine it in our work or the work of the Garda.