Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The original Garda Síochána Act 2005 provided for a time limit of 12 months for the taking of such proceedings, extended to 18 months by section 51 of the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015. The new section 218 reinstates the time period of 18 months which was approved by the Oireachtas and which is a relatively recent period in legislative terms of around eight years. No. 179 of the general scheme of the Bill proposed the same time limit. The general scheme was considered at length by An Garda Síochána, GSOC and the DPP. I am not aware of any concern raised by any of those organisations that would give rise to a need to extend the period from 18 months to 24. I will satisfy myself further on that but I strongly believe that to be the case. For that reason, I do not support the amendment. The overarching intention of the police complaints system is to streamline the investigation process to lead to shorter investigations, which I hope will further reduce the concern giving rise to this amendment.