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

The Deputy mentioned the proposed policing, security and community safety Bill, which will be subject to further consideration by the Oireachtas. It will strengthen and reform the oversight and accountability of An Garda Síochána. Some of the proposed reforms include moving to a single ombudsman model; granting a separate Vote for the ombudsman; having an expanded remit to include Garda staff; requiring all complaints other than minor service level ones to be investigated by the ombudsman; and introducing a new streamlined and simplified approach to investigating, while ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place to protect the individual's right to fair procedures and natural justice. These are just some of the reforms proposed by the recently published general scheme of the Bill. I look forward to working with the Oireachtas as it considers the Bill to strengthen policing and oversight of policing in Ireland further.

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