Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As for the consideration by the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, there has been a great deal of comment in recent weeks on this legislation's structure, efficiency and effectiveness. Consequently, the Government has asked the joint committee to take public hearings from those who have commented publicly about inefficiencies in the Act and so on. This is part of the change to engage with civic society to a far greater extent. I have not had sight of Deputy Niall Collins's Bill but if it is constructive, I am sure it can feed into the report the Oireachtas committee can make with regard to any recommendations for amendment, change or addition to this Act. The Government genuinely seeks to have a situation in which there is absolute integrity, a working relationship and working capacity between GSOC and the Garda Commissioner.

I make the point that the other day, I heard some comments on the difference between the position here and in Northern Ireland. Whereas the ombudsman in Northern Ireland had the opportunity to oversee the chief constable, that ombudsman did not have the capacity to oversee MI5. We do not have an MI5 but have a Garda Commissioner.

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