Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

She made the point that a resulting erosion of public trust in a new body would set in at an early stage. I must say with some disappointment that it will not just set in at an early stage, it will be carried forward if people do not hear what Ms Justice Ring is saying and what we are reflecting on. It would be of significant concern that the new body would start off not just having to prove itself but that it would also be obliged to carry forward a considerable lack of public confidence. When Deputy Clare Daly referenced damage, I made the note that the damage had been done to GSOC in terms of public confidence by virtue of the fact that the resourcing was not all it should have been.

It was stated that GSOC could not just tell people to go away. In that context, I am familiar with a case that has been submitted to GSOC. I do not know whether it is standard procedure, but the correspondence issuing indicated that GSOC would make an arrangement to meet, interview and explore with the complainant the details initially provided in writing. Some time later, a letter issued stating that GSOC had made a decision, yet there had been no engagement at all with the complainant. How often would this be the case? In the specific instance with which I am familiar, it has had a damaging impact. The case involves very respectable and well-considered people who would not have made a complaint to GSOC willy-nilly. The complaint had substance and a basis of concern, yet they were never afforded the opportunity that the correspondence from GSOC indicated would be theirs to be met, have their case heard, answer questions, elaborate and do what they and we all would have expected would have been their opportunity to do. It never happened and they then received correspondence indicating that the matter had been discontinued without explanation. I have copies of those items of correspondence. I do not know what our guests can say to me in respect of this matter. I do not know whether this was unusual or if it is a frequent occurrence that people do not get their day in court, so to speak.

It is important at least that people be afforded the opportunity to expand on the information they have provided. Would Ms Justice Ring like to comment?