Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I repeat in brief terms what I said to Deputy Wallace who asked the same question. My view is in line with the commission's which pointed to a certain lack of clarity under the current structure. What is designed here will not add further to that lack of clarity but will rather enhance governance for An Garda Síochána. That is not only the view of the Commission on the Future of Policing but of the effectiveness and renewal group in my own Department. The nature of the existing arrangements has meant that they were often seen to work contrary to the objective of clear and effective accountability. Should these proposals be implemented, we will have an external oversight body in common with what exists across the public and semi-State sectors. If we proceed along those lines, legislation will be required. I hope that whatever legislation is enacted will ensure that what Deputy Chambers refers to will not come to pass and that we will have a greater level of clarity and delineation of roles, functions and responsibility rather than the type of overlap evident in the current structure.