Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----setting out the difficulties described by the Garda Ombudsman Commission that the Garda Commissioner be given an opportunity to furnish a detailed response to that report.

That is what I am awaiting and expect to receive it in a few days.

Mr. Justice Thomas Smyth, an eminent retired member of the High Court appointed by my predecessor to engage in oversight of human surveillance issues, in his most recent report indicated the Garda is properly complying with guidelines in that area. That is a particularly important issue, to which both Deputies have failed to refer, in the context of matters relating to the Morris commission’s report.

I want to see any remaining difficulties dealt with. It is my intention to meet with both the Garda Commissioner and the Ombudsman together to tease out these difficulties. The Garda Commissioner had to be allowed to respond. If protocols or legislation need to be changed -I doubt there will need to be legislative change because the original legislation is very robust - I will address that issue in the public interest. I am not going to pillory the Garda force as a whole in this House or make statements of condemnation as the Deputy is inviting me to do. There has to be the maximum co-operation between the Garda and the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.

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