Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

The Minister is correct that police forces routinely exchange information. However, the point made to me by Mrs. O'Loan at the time was that she thought it would be wise to have a definite legal position so that she and her commission, which is not a police force but a public body charged with the responsibility of upholding complaints made against members of the police force in Northern Ireland, should have the right to obtain information from the Garda Síochána relating to her investigations. The reverse situation could also apply when the new inspectorate is established.