Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 7 October 2015

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality

Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Committee Stage

5:00 pm

Photo of Mick WallaceMick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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A number of my amendments are being discussed with amendments Nos. 3 to 6, inclusive, I want to ensure that I can table amendments on Report Stage. The amendments are similar to Deputy Mac Lochlainn's amendments. The thinking is to prevent the excuse of national security being invoked by the Minister to prevent full investigation by GSOC. The proposed legislation sets the Minister as the final arbiter if there is a disagreement over whether an issue is considered a policing or security one. The Minister could have a self-interest in this categorisation and it is illogical to consider this a safeguard of any sort. Despite the fact that Ms Josephine Feehily said that the demarcation between policing and security is something to be tested, there is no appeal to the courts and no way to test it. The Minister for Justice and Equality has the final say.

Decisions of national security policing should be dealt with by an alternative body. I put in GSOC because I did not want my amendment to be ruled out of order because it might be ruled as a cost to the Exchequer if I invented a new body. There is a need for an independent arbiter and a High Court judge should be involved as well. I hope to discuss these amendments in the Chamber.

Do I have to mention all my amendments individually?