Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

The Minister is opposed to amendments Nos. 117 and 118. The intention behind them is to extend the current provisions to provide for the ombudsman commission to investigate on its own initiative any matter regarding the activities of the Garda Síochána, particularly policing practices. This is unnecessary because adequate provision is made in section 98 for the commission to examine certain practices, policies and procedures of the Garda. The Minister does not agree with the proposition that the provisions in section 98 do not allow for the ombudsman commission to take the initiative in these matters. Subsection (2) clearly allows the commission to identify any potential problem and to recommend to the Minister that a particular practice, policy or procedure be examined.