Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies. I fully agree that this matter needs to be fully investigated. On that, there is no disagreement. I can only relay the answer as truthfully as I have been given it, which is that there is now a draft report that is out for internal and external peer review and legal review. I have been assured by GSOC that it is not a matter of resourcing. If it was, I would ensure that resources were not the issue.

In relation to the overall issues and different Deputies' views on oversight and governance structures, the new Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023 will come before this House next week. It deals specifically with a governance and oversight framework for policing and accountability structures. I am sure the Deputies will have a chance to make their views known at that stage.

Both Deputies asked why a public inquiry cannot be established while the GSOC investigation is under way. First, GSOC is a statutory independent body. In my view, it constitutes in many ways a much more powerful and intrusive investigation than any form of statutory investigation. That is how it was designed by law. GSOC can actually make wider systemic recommendations on issues that it investigates. I will continue to keep in contact with the Deputies on the matter.

See this speech in context