Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I wish to use this opportunity to make a broader point about the make-up of GSOC. It is not representative of communities that are badly policed or over-policed. Where are the young people, the people of colour, the members of the Travelling community or the trade unionists? Where is the diversity and the diverse experience? I cast no personal aspersions, but this deficit will self-evidently not be addressed by appointing an older white male from a middle-class profession.

The biggest issue on GSOC's plate is the George Nkencho case. George was the first black person to be killed by the police in the history of this State. The investigation is being carefully watched not just locally and nationally but internationally. It is not an exaggeration to say that GSOC's standing will, in large measure, be determined by the outcome of the case. I wish to voice my strong disappointment at the fact that, having set a deadline to finish the investigation by the 30 December anniversary of George's killing, GSOC last week told the family that that deadline will now not be met. There are worrying indications that important details of the investigation are not being progressed. There are also worrying signs that the level of co-operation and transparency that might have been expected by the Nkencho family and people of colour in this country generally is not being met. Judge Rory MacCabe will have important issues on his plate when he takes up this post and I and many others will be watching very carefully how those issues are handled.

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