Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 28 February 2018

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality

Garda Oversight and Accountability: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission

9:00 am

Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring:

In the main, I am happy to report that the names we have had are people about whom we have had nothing to say. A difficulty has arisen and we have both addressed it in our proposals to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on information which might be in GSOC which relates to a protected disclosure. We cannot give that information to the Policing Authority without risking a breach of the Protected Disclosures Act. We put forward proposals so that the legislation might be made more workable. We would then be in a position to deal more efficiently with the Policing Authority. It is aware of this and has also made proposals in that regard.