Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to speak in this debate. The public interest would be better served if An Garda Síochána was overseen by an independent policing authority. The Labour Party has advocated this for many years, believing that it is not in the public interest or in the interests of the administration of justice for a police force and its commissioner to be directly answerable to a single elected representative.

I welcome the Government's commitment to introduce an independent police authority. I look forward to the work of the Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, of which I am a member, in reviewing the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

I welcome the Government's decision to appoint Mr. Justice Nial Fennelly, a judge of the Supreme Court, as chair of the commission of investigation. I welcome the agreement that the commission of investigation should examine all matters of public concern relating to the taping of conversations in Garda stations. I understand that the commission's terms of reference will be finalised shortly and will be subject to the approval of this House.

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