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

I agree with the Leas-Chathaoirleach that it is vital that we have an oversight body and that there is accountability. Before GSOC we had the policing complaints board. What we have here is a newer and appropriate structure. It needs to be there to give people confidence in An Garda Síochána. We have a structure at present that allows for a longer period of time and a delay. We have to eliminate either a disciplinary matter or a criminal offence in the first instance and start again on the next one. This is what causes some of the delays. This will be changed in the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill going through the Seanad at present so that at the early stages it is identified as to whether it is a disciplinary matter or a criminal matter that needs to go in a different direction. This will reduce the timeline.

The funding has increased in the three years that I have been Minister. It has increased year on year to allow more members to be allocated so that we can speed up the process. A body of work needs to be done to make sure that if somebody makes a complaint it is dealt with and turned around quickly and the people are not sitting and waiting for years, which has been the case. At the same time, it is important to say it is not always the case that if a member of the Garda is under investigation that they are suspended. This is not always the case and we have gardaí at present who are going through investigations and who are still working and available to work. Others are not. It depends on the type of complaint or what is happening. Work needs to be done and it will happen under the new policing Bill. Resources continue to increase and support is being provided to GSOC to make sure it can do its job as efficiently and effectively as possible. It is very important that we have GSOC. It enhances people's view of gardaí in knowing there is accountability.