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

I said in my initial answer that GSOC has the power to bring criminal charges against members of An Garda Síochána following the outcome of its investigations, where GSOC deems this to be the appropriate course of action. These are powers that are not available to other forms of independent statutory inquiries such as a commission of investigation or a tribunal of inquiry. With regard to the recent report in the newspapers about the pay claim of superintendents and chief superintendents, the Workplace Relations Commission is hosting conciliation talks on this issue between the Garda associations. Efforts are ongoing to arrive at a solution that will be agreeable to all the parties involved, including Garda management and officials from both my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, for the administration and management of Garda business.

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