Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

I move amendmentNo. 136:

In page 41, line 15, after "appointed" to insert the following:

"with the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas".

The Minister referred to occasions when he might come under pressure from the Oireachtas to initiate special inquiries. My amendment seeks to ensure the Oireachtas will play a role in that regard. The wording of subsection (2) suggests the Minister may initiate such inquiries off his or her own bat. Given that the Garda Ombudsman Commission cannot deal with cases retrospectively, there may well be instances where events come to light that might require the Minister to direct the establishment of such inquiries. This is one of the flaws in the legislation establishing the commission.

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