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

Repeating that GSOC is independent and robust just does not cut the mustard. Even the chairperson of GSOC has said it is understaffed and needs reform. According to a report, 42% of all cases initiated by GSOC have been referred back to Garda inspectors. The work it is refusing to do increased hugely during 2020. There has also been a substantial increase in the very serious cases being investigated by GSOC. My point is there have been historic failures and the Minister is not really addressing that point. There have been historic complaints and we have debated them often here in the Dáil. There will be an increase in the campaigning to have them addressed, particularly in the cases of Shane O'Farrell and Terence Wheelock. The Minister is not answering the question of what can be done about the historic failures of GSOC. If there were not failures or weaknesses, there would not be a requirement for a review, and we would not have a situation where the commissioners themselves are complaining about the lack of staffing in GSOC.

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