Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I refer to our previous conversation where the Garda Commissioner publishes the draft codes of practice on the website. That is obviously to allow for the period of consultation. While it does not say public consultation, the intention is this allows for engagement with the Policing Authority, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, the Data Protection Commission, DPC, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, IHREC, the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, the Garda associations and then the public. Thus, while it is not explicitly stated as being a public consultation, I believe that is how it is set out. If there are to be any changes to the code of practice, those would have to go back through that process as well, so it cannot be a case that one code is put in place and then the Garda starts to tweak, amend and change it. It would have to go back to the public and the various groups if changes were to be made.