Ms Maura Butler:

I agree with what Mr. McGillicuddy said. This is an enormous legislative measure and, as has been said, there are a huge number of different bodies, so it is difficult to ascertain who is doing what. However, I draw an analogy between the role of a board and the role of a HR department within a business context. If it is the case that the governance of an organisation must be examined, I see that as synonymous with the role the Garda Inspectorate can easily carry out. It is quite distinct from the role that GSOC has with regard to public complaints and dealing with those complaints. The systemic issue might arise with regard to GSOC when it comes to the fact that there are certain complaints that are common across the Garda force. There might be a particular type of complaint which could be looked at almost like a class action, in legal terms, and there could be recommendations or reporting to the Minister or whomsoever in that context.

I believe there is a huge role also for the Garda Inspectorate, as outlined in our submission, relating to the research aspect of best practice. Some of the on-the-ground information that is collected by GSOC in the context of dealing with public complaints could be accessible by the Garda Inspectorate from the point of view of recommending best practice into the future. I see a symbiotic relationship between the two. However, we are talking in a vacuum to a degree because until the new policing authority structure has been determined by policy-makers, we are doing the piecemeal thing. It is really important to see what works and does not work in respect of all aspects and parts of the structure that currently exist and to take the best of it. Let us not throw out the baby with the bath water. Some really valuable work is being done by the Garda Inspectorate so I am not sure I would agree with Senator Bacik on the necessity of that organisation becoming redundant in a future framework.