Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has raised a number of elements of policing and GSOC's work. She has commented on the role of the representative organisations and their comments on GSOC. She has also commented on the effectiveness of GSOC and its resources and now introduced another comment on a different issue.

Extra resources have been given. Obviously, we are emerging from a very difficult economic situation. I previously indicated in the House that staff had been recruited recently for investigations. An additional €1 million has been allocated in order to do this. Clearly, it is a help in dealing in an efficient and effective way with complaints made to GSOC.

I reject what the Deputy said about the power of GSOC. The Government has done the opposite of what she said. We have given increased powers to GSOC in the 2015 Act. They are important extra powers that were requested by a number of people. For example, we have for the first time brought the Garda Commissioner within the scope of GSOC investigations and we allowed GSOC to carry out an examination of certain Garda practices and procedures on its own initiative. Previously, this could only have been done by the Minister. The Deputy is familiar with the legislation.

When speaking to the GRA or the AGSI or addressing any other public forum on policing, I have consistently said it is critical to have effective and efficient oversight of policing, to which I am absolutely committed. I have said repeatedly that I will strengthen and support GSOC to enable it to do its job efficiently. At every public forum attended by members of An Garda Síochána, I have said it is important to have proper oversight and full co-operation between the Garda and GSOC. That is the message I have consistently given. I do not expect the relationship between GSOC and An Garda Síochána by any means to be easy at all times or without tension. There should be tension because it is an oversight function, but I expect people to co-operate and work together. I am overseeing a complaints body that will be effective and efficient. As the economy improves we will provide more resources in order that it will continue to deal with these cases in as timely a manner as it can.

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