Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not sure where the Deputy has been for the past while because GSOC is an independent entity set up for the specific purpose of dealing with complaints from members of the public against serving members of the gardaí. The Deputy is now telling me that GSOC does not have the powers to investigate the complaints that were made. That is what I understand her to be saying. That is what GSOC was set up for and that is why it is independent. The confidential recipient process will now end when the legislation is brought in with the opportunity for members of the gardaí who have complaints against serving members to go directly to GSOC.

Deputy Wallace mentioned the Boylan case. GSOC made recommendations and reports in respect of the gardaí arising from that report. Deputy Wallace also mentioned the matter of protocols which the Minister addressed last September when he instructed that new procedures in respect of some of the protocols be brought in. I say to Deputy Collins that we all want this to work very effectively. I advise her and the other Deputies to go to the Staunton committee and point out where this is inadequately founded in legislation and where they think it can be improved. That is what the public engagement process is about and that is why I expect that former Commissioner Brady will be able to go before that committee and address where the legislation is inadequate from his point of view as a former Commission member. The Minister will address that. We want this to work and for GSOC to be seen to have the resources, investigative authority, the legislation to back it up and the protection for whistleblowers. We also want the Garda Síochána, which protects the public from criminal elements, to be seen to be transparent and accountable and for there to be proper oversight there so that everybody can feel comfortable and safe in that knowledge.

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