Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

It will be able to recruit investigators from abroad, enter Garda stations, seize documents and, if necessary, arrest members of the force. I hope the new and independent investigation complaints authority will underpin public confidence in the force.

The establishment of the Garda inspectorate is a vital provision in the Garda Síochána Bill. It will ensure that the Garda's resources are used to achieve the highest levels of efficiency and effectiveness, when compared with best police practice and standards. The inspectorate will inspect the operation and administration of the force and report to the Minister of the day with advice on best practice. Not only will it assist the Garda to achieve the highest standards, it will also give the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform of the day an independent and objective assessment of the force's performance. That is a crucial response to the concern expressed in the report of the Morris tribunal that too much distance has opened between the Garda and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The inspectorate's reports will be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. The chief inspector will be available when requested to attend meetings of any Oireachtas committee to discuss any such report.

As I have already indicated, the Minister has introduced amendments to the Bill to address fully the issues raised in the reports of the Morris tribunal. The amendments will place a new statutory duty on members of the force to account for their action or inaction while on duty. The amendments will also provide for a procedure that will enable and empower the Garda Commissioner to dismiss members of the force of sergeant or inspector rank.

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