Results 61-80 of 112 for gsoc segment:8821362

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

Colm Burke: Is GSOC satisfied that there are adequate procedures within the various Garda stations? I suppose the reason I am raising this is I ended up doing a judicial review a number of years ago over a £20 note. When I am saying it was a £20 note, I am going back a good few years ago. A garda was dismissed from the force and I was involved in a judicial review and got him reinstated. I...

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

Colm Burke: ...of the public had made the payment and there was a member of the public involved. Currently, in relation to cases where there is misappropriation of funds, are there cases of complaints filed with GSOC in relation to that issue?

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

Colm Burke: ...goes on for a significant period. The figures in that regard have been provided. Mr. Hume is saying many of the cases are now dealt with in two years, but it is still quite a long period. Is GSOC under pressure in the context of the possibility that a person could claim it is taking an unreasonable period, such as two years, to carry out what might be a straightforward investigation?...

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

Colm Burke: My understanding is that there is also a delay in the process when GSOC sends a file to the DPP and the DPP reverts to indicate it is not taking a prosecution.

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

Colm Burke: Has GSOC examined the process in other jurisdictions? The witnesses have referred to improvements that are coming, but have they examined how the complaint process is dealt with in other jurisdictions? Does GSOC have something to learn from those jurisdictions in the context of ensuring investigations are carried out in the shortest time possible?

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

Cormac Devlin: It is good to engage with the witnesses again. I thank them for the information they supplied. As has been said, GSOC is necessary. I understand the purpose of the organisation but, obviously, it is not perfect and the witnesses are striving to improve that. Mr. Justice MacCabe mentioned the 26 vacancies in the organisation. Given the issue that arose in the public domain in April last...

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

Cormac Devlin: Yes, but it was surprising to many members of the public to see that this could have carried on in plain sight and, in theory, from what we have read, over a length of time. Given that GSOC is hiring new individuals, what new processes are in place to check their backgrounds?

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

Cormac Devlin: ...stated 80% of complaints are closed within two years. I submitted a parliamentary question on this issue in early December and I understand the 1,826 cases for 2022 was the fourth lowest figure GSOC has had in its existence. What is more worrying, however, is the actual numbers of cases that are outstanding. Forty-one cases, as I understand, remain open after two to three years, while...

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

Cormac Devlin: ...to the issue of money spent. Not only is there concern about individuals who are hired by the organisation and the access they have to extremely sensitive information but the security spend for GSOC decreased from €364,000 in 2021 to €303,000. Why is that the case?

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

Cormac Devlin: I imagine the capabilities are higher for those working for GSOC than for an ordinary Joe Punter working from home, given the sensitive access they have to information. Is that correct?

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

James O'Connor: I thank the Chairman and welcome everybody. The particular of facet of interest for me with GSOC rotates around the increase in the number of disciplinary investigations into members of An Garda Síochána. There are two facets to this and some of this has been discussed this morning. The first element is that some of these are handled by An Garda Síochána internally....

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

James O'Connor: It is internal. Does GSOC do its own internal checks for inbound new staff who are being vetted?

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

James O'Connor: I want to ask what is, from my perspective, a genuinely interesting question which is worth asking. Those working in GSOC are dealing with critically sensitive information involving a range of issues around enforcement in the Garda. Do the witnesses believe the current system as it stands is fit for purpose? Does it need to be improved, in terms of whether we do background checks on people...

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

James O'Connor: I will return to the original line of questioning. I thank Mr. Whelan for his response and the information he provided. In light of the need for additional resources, has GSOC had a conversation with the Department of Justice?

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

...review, Grant Thornton did a benchmarking exercise with similar agencies in other jurisdictions. Those agencies' investigators have two to six cases per investigator. The review recommended that GSOC would have ten cases per investigator. At the moment, we have approximately 20 cases per investigator. That crude figure alone suggests we need to double the number of investigators we...

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

James O'Connor: ...to be as high as they are. Members who are under investigation are put under strain and stress. As I said, it is about differentiating between right and wrong and I accept the need for the work GSOC does. However, when a considerable number of gardaí are leaving the force, for financial and other reasons, delays should be a big item of concern, as I assume they are. We are concerned.

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

Brian Stanley: .... It puts a cloud over them and puts them in a difficult situation from the point of view of their careers, families and communities. It is important for that to be dealt with. At the moment, GSOC has 23 vacancies. According to Grant Thornton, there is a need for 180 extra staff. At the moment, there is a total of 160 staff. How many of those are investigators?

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

Brian Stanley: Would GSOC need 60 investigators?

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

Brian Stanley: GSOC does not have the staff to carry out investigations in a timely manner. That is clear. It is at about half capacity. Some members of the public would raise the matter of former members of the Garda being involved in an investigation on behalf of GSOC. Would GSOC find any difficulties around that or any conflict around judging performance?

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

Brian Stanley: Are there situations where GSOC feels it is being obstructed or there is undue delay?