David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 3, in between lines 20 and 21, to insert the following:“Amendment of section 82(1) of Principal Act

4. Section 82(1) is amended by the insertion of the following definition:

“ “Independent Adjudicator” means a member of the judiciary chosen to adjudicate on disputes between the Ombudsman Commission and the Garda Inspectorate.”.”.

I have no problem with the grouping of the amendments because they all relate to the need for, in our view, an independent adjudicator in regard to this section of the Bill.

Historically, GSOC would be stopped in its tracks with an investigation by being told certain information was not available to it or would be delayed on the basis that it was a national security issue. We need to ensure that the provision is supervised in order to ensure that it is not used as a mechanism to hamper GSOC investigations.

The amendment seeks the introduction of an independent adjudicator who could decide whether such information should be given out on these grounds. Clearly, the amendment is designed to have the highest level of independent oversight which, we believe, is necessary and important if we are to have full confidence in the system. The amendment is constructive and seeks to improve the Bill and ensure a greater level of independent oversight in this area.