Results 1-10 of 10 for gsoc segment:6331878

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Finian McGrath: ...Minister said there was a marked improvement in efficiency, dialogue and co-operation with An Garda Síochána. Some of the complaints that end up with the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, should be handled elsewhere as they are not on the serious side of the spectrum. Is the Minister confident that there will be better dialogue and co-operation with the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: One would not expect the relationship between an oversight body like GSOC and An Garda Síochána to be without tension. I would expect tensions in that relationship. It is, after all, the body to which one makes a complaint and which subsequently investigates that complaint, calling people to account. It follows a tough and analytical procedure in which people and events are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Niall Collins: I thank the Minister for her introduction of the nomination of Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring as chairperson of GSOC. I want to express my thanks to the outgoing GSOC chairperson, Mr. Simon O’Brien. We always read that GSOC is fraught with difficulties. It is an organisation that has a difficult task. In fairness, if there were not working tensions between it and An Garda...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...Mary Ellen Ring for appointment by the President to the position of chairperson of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. I believe that Ms Justice Ring will be an excellent chairperson of GSOC. The Government is proposing Ms Ring to fill the vacancy of chairperson of the ombudsman commission arising from the resignation of the previous chairman, Mr. Simon O’Brien, at...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I think it indicates that the work of GSOC is becoming well known as is the procedure and process by which complaints can be made. One of the issues I have been pursuing with both An Garda Síochána and GSOC, is whether a mechanism could be developed - which both sides would like to see - but we have not come up with a mechanism yet. Every complaint is serious but I have raised...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: ...dedicated e-mail address. The team responsible would ensure that responses were provided within the maximum time limit of 30 days, as agreed in the protocols between the two organisations. Last year was the first full year that GSOC was able to analyse this approach, which has contributed to greater efficiency. The median times for criminal investigations declined from 155 days in 2013...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

David Stanton: If a member of the public has a complaint about GSOC, to whom does he or she complain? This issue has arisen recently. Is it the Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Finian McGrath: ...trust are key issues. I agree that independence is the cornerstone of the commission. This must be part of the deal, otherwise trust and confidence will not be achieved. The Minister said that GSOC received 11% more complaints in 2014 over 2013 and concluded 8% more cases in 2014 compared with 2013. Does this not indicate that the situation is getting worse?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Anne Ferris: .... She will be a fine chairperson of the commission. I welcome the increase in the number of complaints to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, as it indicates a high level of confidence in GSOC following the recent period of turbulence. The Minister indicated that further reforms of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission are included in Garda...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Appointment of Member of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Motion: Minister for Justice and Equality (15 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: .... Then, a Circuit Court judge, the late Kevin Haugh, was appointed and, as is allowed under the Act, became a judge of the High Court. Everyone will agree he that did an excellent job as chair of GSOC. Ms Justice Ellen Ring’s remuneration is that of a High Court judge. The legislation allows me to appoint her only for the remainder of Simon O’Brien’s term....