Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Policing Authority and the Department of Justice and Equality should have been aware of the conclusions of the final audit that yielded the discrepancy that is now the cause of such public disquiet. It is important to acknowledge that these matters are now in the public arena. It is right that this is the case. What is even more important now is that we have the right set of actions to respond to them. I agree with the point Deputy Micheál Martin made, but the Tánaiste has already said this. Under the legislation that is in place to govern the Policing Authority and GSOC, the Government and the Oireachtas need to make a decision on whether further powers are needed, particularly with regard to the Policing Authority. This is a matter that needs to be examined. If further powers are required this year and if the Tánaiste is satisfied that they are merited, I am sure they will be put in place. The Tánaiste is engaging with GSOC, which has been in place for a decade, to look at whether further powers are needed for it to ensure that the issues of disquiet and the need for confidence can be responded to in the correct and most effective way.

See this speech in context