Results 1-20 of 105 for gsoc speaker:Alan Shatter

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Reports (27 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: It is important we respect the independence of GSOC. I took with great seriousness the report published by GSOC. Some of the issues raised had been dealt with and addressed, while others have not. GSOC is independent and in the context of issues that remain to be addressed we have put in place systems to ensure they are addressed. It is of the utmost importance that the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Investigations (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: In my statement to the House on 11 February, 2014, I detailed the background to the investigation GSOC initiated and the outcome of that investigation. I summarised for the House the information furnished to me by GSOCs Chairman at our two hour meeting and that contained in the briefing note I received from GSOC and its public press release. I addressed the central issues of the...

Reports of Unlawful Surveillance of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Statements (11 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: ...I thank those who said something constructive and those who made other sorts of contributions to which I will refer. I am interested in one thing only, the truth of the issues that arose, whether GSOC was bugged. It would be completely unacceptable for any surveillance to be conducted on its offices. I have the height of respect for GSOC which, as I have already said, is a very...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (19 Apr 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Garda Síochána Act 2005 sets out the role of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC). The Act establishes GSOC as a key element of the policing framework. This role is essential in ensuring that public confidence in the Gardaí is safeguarded. An effective police complaints system must be capable of dealing appropriately and proportionately with a diverse range of allegations...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: ...brief. Last week I was really concerned. Based on the knowledge I had up to Thursday, I was really concerned that if we had an inquiry into this matter, it would suggest a lack of confidence in GSOC. GSOC had investigated, reached conclusions, terminated the investigation and had found no definitive evidence of surveillance or of Garda misconduct. Since then I have received all the...

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Shatter: Last week, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, or GSOC, stated that its investigation into an alleged leak from its offices, which gave rise to substantial controversy earlier this year, was unsuccessful and that its report on the investigation will not be published. From the start of this affair, GSOC has sought to cover up and keep secret a disturbing level of incompetence...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: ...in the air. The first question the Deputy raised was: why did I so quickly say there was no Garda involvement for the alleged bugging? I did not, quickly, do anything. What I did was recite what GSOC told me, what Mr. Kieran FitzGerald said on "Prime Time". The answer was, "There is no evidence of Garda misconduct". If there was evidence of Garda misconduct I would say so. Kieran...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy is absolutely right that if there is a threat or a suspicion that GSOC was under surveillance that it is appropriate that the matter be investigated, but what he is missing is that GSOC itself investigated it. It decided there was no definitive evidence of surveillance and it referenced what occurred as "anomalies". One of the anomalies - I am happy to address the other two but I...

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (17 Sep 2014)

Alan Shatter: I thank the Minister for her response. I do not believe it tenable that the current GSOC commissioners remain in office, nor is it acceptable that the matter of the leak now be abandoned on the basis of the failed investigation. The possibility of further such leaks could seriously undermine current or future investigations into alleged Garda misconduct. The leaking of information of a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: It was said I have been a disgrace, but the reality is that all I am doing is reporting what GSOC stated. GSOC stated that there is no evidence of Garda misconduct. It has been said that there is no evidence that the Garda had GSOC under surveillance. All I can do is repeat this. Did somebody else have GSOC under surveillance? We are back to the main issue. Anomalies were identified....

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Motion [Private Members] (18 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: Today, it was agreed at Cabinet that the input of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality would be sought on the amendments to be made to the 2005 Act with regard to GSOC, in advance of my finalising the proposals to be brought by me to Cabinet - hardly the actions of someone seeking to undermine the work of GSOC. On Tuesday last, in this House I detailed the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I was summarising for the Dáil the three threats, GSOC’s conclusions on them as I was advised of them, and the ultimate outcome of GSOC’s investigation. I thought that was the correct and appropriate way to proceed. It was certainly not my intention to mislead anyone. Why would I do so? GSOC was coming to this committee the following day at which any issues of relevance...

Matters relating to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Mar 2014)

Alan Shatter: -----followed by the usual dosage of contrived outrage, something we see again this morning. The simple truth is GSOC did not furnish the report mentioned to me and I am advised that it did not furnish it to my departmental officials nor bring it to the Department's attention. GSOC, no doubt, can confirm this. Because of the background to the GSOC report, GSOC had no obligation under the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I can tell the Deputy that I am one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the work that is required of an organisation like GSOC. Way before he was in this House it was the type of body that I wanted to see in place. That is one of the reasons why, for example, we had to set up the Morris tribunal. It was because there was no body that existed that could independently investigate...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (15 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is an independent statutory body which was set up under the Garda Siochana Act 2005 and has oversight functions in relation to the Garda Siochana. GSOC reports annually to me in relation to the performance of its functions and their annual reports are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. As Minister for Justice and Equality, I have no...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: It is rather complex and a short answer could be misleading. I have no wish to comment on whether GSOC should have commenced the section 102 investigation at the point when it did. I have merely described the information on which the commission commenced it. That issue can be considered in the context of any matters of relevance to this by the judge who is going to conduct the inquiry. ...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (22 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: ...Nos. 398 and 434 together. As the Deputy is aware, the moratorium on Public Service Recruitment continues to apply to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. The nature and complexity of the GSOC's remit, coupled with operational protocols and procedures and its legislative obligations, can at times result in lengthy investigations. However, it is necessary that GSOC complies with...

Reports of Unlawful Surveillance of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Statements (11 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I would like to begin by emphasising the important public role played by An Garda Síochána as the police force in this State and by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, as the independent body with the important remit of investigating allegations of police misconduct. Each is a crucial pillar in our constitutional democracy and each plays a vital role in the...

Other Questions: Corrib Gas Field (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: I have a final important comment. When GSOC receives the result of an investigation, that is not the end of the matter. It is open to GSOC, under statutory provisions, to request that a matter be further examined or to raise issues regarding the outcome of any such investigation. It is not that GSOC gets a result and it is the end of the matter.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: ...reference for the review are being finalised as we sit here. It is important all colleagues in Cabinet agree to them. The judge will be able to ask people questions. It is my understanding that GSOC, Verrimus and Rits will co-operate. All documentation and information available to me will be furnished to the judge. If there is anything additional the review requires from GSOC it will...