Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for coming in. It is important that we all consider the report that has been prepared. A lot of work went into it. It is also important that Government makes a decision on where it is going early in the new year because the longer this drifts on, the more of a question mark there will be over the existing oversight bodies. I am sure that is a concern that the Minister probably has himself.

We agree with much of what is in this report and the commission did very good work, but I want to concentrate on the areas where there is some concern. The commission has recommended that there be an internal board within An Garda Síochána, the purpose of which would be to strengthen internal governance and accountability and to support the Commissioner and his leadership team. The Minister may recall that, back in 2007, legislation was introduced establishing a Garda Síochána executive management board and that was an amendment to the Garda Síochána Act 2005. It was never commenced and, when the Minister introduced the Policing Authority, that section was repealed. Does the Minister envisage that the board recommended by the commission would be similar to the board that was provided for in legislation by the Oireachtas back in 2007 or does he see it operating differently?