Mr. Drew Harris:

I am not sure that the two recommendations marry up. A board is to be introduced to provide an additional element of oversight of the practical day-to-day working of the organisation. All members of the Garda may be subject to investigation by GSOC as it is constituted. It is entirely independent of the Garda and may undertake an investigation into any member of the organisation if such is warranted. The role of the new body in respect of crime and discipline investigation is set out in the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. It is hoped that further regulations to address poor performance will be brought in. These will not necessarily involve having to prove a breach of discipline but rather an assessment of the performance and ability of an individual and consideration of whether he or she should remain a member of the organisation if he or she does not have the ability to perform the required duties. That assessment falls under the performance regulations, which will probably also take in an element of attendance. I envisage that those powers will stay within the organisation, whereas the body that supersedes GSOC will deal with public complaints, allegations of crime, etc.