Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I assume the Deputy is referring to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission's annual report for 2011 which was published last week. Copies of the report have been laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and it is also available on the commission's website. It was presented by the new ombudsman commission which took office in December 2011. The office is anxious to build on the foundation work of its predecessors. The report outlines details of the 2,275 complaints, containing 6,230 allegations, received from members of the public. A total of 1,424 of these allegations were deemed to be inadmissible. Of the allegations received, 39% related to abuse of authority, 26% to neglect of duty, 12% to discourtesy and 11% to non-fatal offences against the person. These figures are in keeping with those of previous years and the new commission will, in its new strategy, attempt to address recurring issues. The Garda Commissioner made 90 referrals during 2011.

In 2011, 154 sanctions were applied by the Garda Commissioner following investigations by the ombudsman commission. Eighteen files were submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions relating to 19 Garda members. The Director of Public Prosecutions directed prosecutions in eight of these cases relating to seven Garda members and two people who were not gardaí. Also during 2011 there were convictions against six gardaí and one against a civilian following investigations by the ombudsman commission.

The ombudsman commission is aware of the Garda Commissioner's commitment to continuous improvement and, in its new strategy, will try to examine the reasons for the recurrence of certain types of complaints. I wholeheartedly welcome this approach. It is important from a public service point of view that we continue to learn and improve the way we conduct ourselves. Already the new ombudsman commission has submitted to me suggestions for legislative change aimed at enhancing the investigation and resolution of complaints. I will carefully consider the case for this.

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