Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 8 May 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality

Garda Oversight and Accountability: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Oireachtas appreciates the involvement of Ms Justice Ring who has experience of dealing with these issues for a long number of years.

I want to discuss the Venice principles, specifically principle No. 16 which Ms Justice Ring has said should be incorporated. I believe she referred to it and it is highlighted in the opening statement. She states she believes the ombudsman should have a legally enforceable right to unrestricted access to all relevant documents, databases and materials, including those which might otherwise be legally privileged or confidential. Those are broad powers to give to a statutory investigative body. What type of legally privileged documents is Ms Justice Ring seeking access to?