Results 21-40 of 112 for gsoc segment:8821362

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

Ms Emily Logan: GSOC is trying to enhance Dublin, Longford and Cork.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

Alan Dillon: With regard to complaints and investigations, GSOC has faced criticism in the past for releasing the full details of criminal charges faced by individuals before they were put into the public domain. Will the GSOC representatives share some of their thoughts and explain how GSOC is addressing this situation? I know most recently at a Dublin Coroner's Court hearing a case was publicly aired....

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

..., as the Deputy will appreciate. Mr. Whelan might assist me on this. Just to reiterate what the chair said earlier, charges - be they criminal or related to discipline - are not a matter for GSOC. They are a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions, the director at-----

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

Alan Dillon: Does GSOC refer back to the actual person at the centre of the investigation or does it allow the likes of the coroner to outline that there will be criminal charges related to a subsequent investigation?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

Mr. Hugh Hume: GSOC goes to great lengths to ensure that at all stages of the investigation the person who is subject to investigation is provided with an update. The legislation, section 103 of the Act, requires us to provide progress and outcomes to complainants. We provide them at regular intervals as to where the investigation, including when we get a direction from the Director of...

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

Alan Dillon: Has GSOC failed in its duty in the past to provide proper communication with those who are under investigation?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

Mr. Hugh Hume: I am not aware of any specific case. I am aware of media commentary but I am not aware of any specific case where GSOC has not provided information, either to the person directly or through their nominated representative with whom the person has asked us to communicate through.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

Alan Dillon: In terms of the length of time it takes for GSOC to undertake investigations, are there issues with regard to concerns about how GSOC is continuing to extend the time, which in one sense causes undue stress to those who under investigation? What is GSOC doing to rectify this?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

Mr. Peter Whelan: I think it is fair to say GSOC has done as much internally. We have improved our business processes. We have developed specialist units. We have delegated authority and have devolved decision-making. We have set out in our strategic priorities where cases need to be signed off and at what level. We have brought in some more investigators. Grant Thornton did a...

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

Alan Dillon: With regard to established procedures in place to investigate allegations against GSOC personnel or any identified shortcomings, are procedures in place within GSOC to investigate its own personnel?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

Alan Dillon: How many investigations into GSOC personnel are ongoing ?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

Alan Dillon: Has GSOC had any prosecutions of or disciplinary actions against GSOC employees recently?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

Ms Valerie Woods: Not in the past 12 months, which is the time I have been in GSOC.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

Alan Dillon: Have you referred any cases about GSOC personnel to An Garda Síochána?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

Alan Dillon: At this stage GSOC has nothing to do with it.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

Ms Emily Logan: What is in the public domain is that all members of the commission and all members of staff of GSOC are prohibited from sharing any information under section 81 of the Act. It is a criminal offence to release any protected information that may have a harmful effect.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

Paul McAuliffe: One of the issues I explored with GSOC in detail the last time it was here, was the issue of resources and its impact on the length of time investigations take. Of particular concern were those people under the age of 18 who had made a complaint. Ms Logan gave a credible and strong contribution on that occasion. I will return to that theme. Will the witnesses talk a little about the...

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

...age of 18. They have been trained and recently obtained their certificates. We are trying to reduce our dependency. The Deputy commented last time on the concern of children and families coming into GSOC when they have made a complaint against a garda and the person they meet is a garda. We are doing our level best to maximise our independence in that area and demonstrate to children...

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

Ms Emily Logan: I cannot remember what number it is, but one of the new provisions is that children over the age of 16 without parental care can come to GSOC and make a complaint and they will be treated as an adult, if you like. In the past, children had to have a parent or guardian, and, for some of the children who come to us, they are not-----

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022 - Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (8 Feb 2024)

Ms Emily Logan: It opens up the accessibility of GSOC and coupled, hopefully, with our increasing expertise in the area, we are making strides or efforts to implement that.