Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Minister cannot comment on the George Nkencho case because it is ongoing. It is worth noting, however, that the inquest into the death of this 27-year-old man with mental health problems recently opened and evidence was given by the coroner that he was shot five times in the back by armed gardaí. Key witnesses were not questioned by GSOC for up to eight days after that event. The Minister keeps repeating that GSOC is robust and independent and has full oversight, but there is evidence, even in the heads of the Bill that have been published, that a review into the role of GSOC and its robustness and independence is needed. For example, there have been historic failures in the cases of Shane O'Farrell and Terence Wheelock. We need to know what is going to be done to address these historic failures because they are now many years old. The heads of the Bill call for stronger powers to be given to GSOC, such as to make unannounced visits to Garda stations, which indicates it does not currently have that power. It is a bit like the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, not having the power to make unannounced visits to meat factories.

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