Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose the amendment to make it clear in the Bill that the chief bureau officer shall report to the Garda Commissioner on the performance and management of the bureau, and on any issues arising. I am mindful of the fact that section 23 already provides that the bureau will make an annual report via the Garda Commissioner to the Minister, which will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. However, the Bill should also provide that if in the course of any year there are urgent issues which the chief bureau officer needs to bring to the Garda Commissioners attention, he or she must be able to do so with speed rather than having to communicate with his or her immediate superior officer in the Garda, as this may result in an issue taking some time to go up the line before coming to the Commissioner's attention.

This is a way of ensuring any difficulties that may arise are rapidly communicated and in the event that they are communicated to the Commissioner, they will, if required, be communicated to the Minister.