James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I apologise to Deputy Murphy that I had to step out for one moment, and I thank the Chairman. I welcome the members of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission before the Committee of Public Accounts today. I want to develop a better understanding of the work they all do. Obviously, GSOC is a statutory independent body that is charged with overseeing the Garda, but when it comes to dealing with complaints, does GSOC have any capacity to investigate activity within the Garda on its own suspicion or information that something may be going on within the organisation that is worrying? Does it always have to be as a consequence of a report from members of the public? I open this question to either of the commissioners, Ms Hogan or Mr. Hume.