Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. GSOC is the body specifically established, designed and equipped to investigate complaints of alleged criminality or misconduct by members of An Garda Síochána.

I assure the Deputy that GSOC has extensive powers under the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to perform this function. If GSOC believes a suspected criminal offence may have been committed by any member of An Garda Síochána, it is obliged to conduct a full criminal investigation. GSOC's designated officers have all the powers, privileges and immunities in the course of their duty as those that apply to a member of An Garda Síochána. GSOC also has the power to refer a case to the Director of Public Prosecutions following the outcome of its investigations, where this is deemed the appropriate course of action. Clearly these are powers that are not available to other forms of independent statutory inquiry, such as a commission of investigation or a tribunal of inquiry.

With regard to the specific cases the Deputy has raised, I hope she will understand I cannot comment on any ongoing investigation by GSOC or on the outcome of any previous investigations. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in any such decisions. They are matters strictly for GSOC, whose independence is a crucial part of its oversight role. It is not the case, for the reasons I have mentioned, that the investigation of these or other serious matters would have been more effectively or expeditiously achieved by means of a commission of investigation or other form of inquiry. I assure the Deputy, however, that there is ongoing engagement by my Department and GSOC to ensure its powers and facilities are commensurate with its important role, most recently in the context of implementing the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.

See this speech in context