Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 9 May 2019

Public Accounts Committee

2017 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána
Chapter 7 - Management of Overtime Expenditure in An Garda Síochána

9:00 am

Mr. Drew Harris:

It provides another record of an event. This can be not only some form of confrontation but, more importantly, it can also be a first report of domestic abuse and a serious sexual assault. In addition, in contentious situations, it can provide GSOC with an independent eyewitness to the whole event. It has been very useful in vindicating police officers in other jurisdictions regarding the manner in which they have behaved. I know the Garda Representative Association is attracted to it for that reason. It has been spoken about formally by neighbouring associations. It does ease the pressure on individual members whenever they are complained about because they know that a record of the event exists. Beyond that, there are very strong protection reasons. It can make a real difference in policing sensitive areas.