Mr. Mark Toland:

I am leading a fairly major investigation into crime which is coming to a conclusion. It is a huge piece of work. I went to GSOC and I have spent time with them in order to look at the systemic issues around - not the individual complainants - but what sort of things people complained about to do with crime investigation. What I would say about our relationship, when we go out and visit a Garda station, I have been amazed, in my experience as a police officer, just how honest guards are with us about the systems. They understand that we are here to try to improve the systems and to get them some equipment. The engagement has been terrific, very honest and very open to the point where it does border on the neglect of duty sometimes about mistakes they have made, but people have been very honest.

My experience is that if one goes in to investigate, in terms of an allegation of discipline or misconduct, that changes the relationship. Guards understand that we are clearly there to look at systems, structures and the way they are organised and perform, not to investigate them. The Garda has guards who are investigating misconduct and also involved in investigation. One week they could be in a particular Garda station investigating a serious crime, like a murder, and the next week they are back with a different hat on investigating misconduct. They find that is a conflict within their own role and so within their own organisation.

We have a good relationship with GSOC and meet them on a regular basis. We are clear about our roles but there are clearly some parts of legislation that need to be changed.