Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is part of what is becoming an all-too familiar pattern in terms of investigations and inquiries, particularly as they relate to An Garda Síochána. What happens is that an investigation or complaint is passed on to GSOC and then, for whatever length of time GSOC is investigating the matter, the gardaí, the Minister responsible and anybody else involved can say they cannot discuss the matter because it is a GSOC operational matter. When GSOC eventually compiles a report, the sting is taken out of the issue, so to speak, by the passage of time.

It is important that we remind ourselves that these are very significant and important issues relating to financial procedures at the Garda College at Templemore. We know that ongoing investigations are being carried out by GSOC. In its correspondence of 20 January 2020, it indicated it is close to a resolution, or at least its investigation is close to conclusion. We know from the correspondence from Chief Superintendent Dollard that OLAF has completed a summary of facts and submitted it to the Garda for comment. The only comment the Garda made was to request that the names of individuals not be included in any findings.

This is a matter of which the committee needs to keep abreast. I suggest that, if it is in order, we write to OLAF to inform it that the Committee of Public Accounts has an interest in this matter and would appreciate copies of any publications or findings it makes in respect of this case. I also ask that the secretariat include this item on our correspondence meeting in, say, late April, so that we can seek a further update from GSOC at that stage in respect of its deliberations.