Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Guerin report has been published. After some independent Deputies raised these matters in the first instance, I considered the matters serious and I treated them with gravity. The Government appointed Mr. Guerin to produce a report, which has been published, and this morning the Cabinet made a number of decisions regarding it. First, we decided to establish a commission of investigation, as proposed in the report. Second, we decided the Garda Inspectorate should carry out a comprehensive inquiry into serious crime investigation, management, operational and procedural issues. Third, we agreed to bring forward legislation strengthening the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC. Fourth, we decided to commission an expert review of the performance management and administration of the Department of Justice and Equality with a very short timeline to report.

We reflected, again, on the decision already taken by the Government that an independent and statutory Garda authority should be established and, hopefully, be operational by the end of the year. The new Cabinet sub-committee, which I chair, will hold its second meeting on it next Tuesday. We also made the decision, which has already been announced, to begin the process of recruiting a new Garda Commissioner by open competition and in parallel with the establishment of the statutory authority. I already answered the questions the Deputy asked about the former Minister, Deputy Shatter, on a number of occasions last week.

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