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

As the Deputy is aware, I published the report of the O'Higgins Commission of Investigation (Certain Matters relative to the Cavan-Monaghan Division of An Garda Síochána) on 11 May. As I have previously stated, it deserves the most careful consideration so that we can do everything possible to avoid a repeat of the issues which gave rise to the commission in the first place.

On 19 May 2016 the Garda Commissioner wrote to me asking that I use the legal powers available to me to ask the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission to investigate matters alleged to have occurred in respect of a meeting in Mullingar involving certain officers. Section 102 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 permits me to do so if I consider it desirable. I informed the House during the debate that took place on the O'Higgins report that I was consulting with the Attorney General about the precise nature of such a request.

On the basis of the advice provided by the Attorney General, I sought additional information from the Garda Commissioner. The Garda Commissioner provided me with more detailed information on 3 June 2016. Having considered the Commissioner's detailed request, and satisfying myself that it was desirable in the public interest that this matter be investigated, as to leave it unaddessed could undermine confidence in An Garda Síochána, I made a request to GSOC on 16 June 2016. My powers under section 102 are not to be exercised lightly and, in all the circumstances, I do not believe that there was any undue delay in making this request.

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